Must be at least 18 years of age (or 17 with written parental/guardian consent).
Weigh at least 110 pounds for whole blood, platelet and plasma donation. Weight
requirements may differ depending on the procedure.
Be in good general health with no history of hepatitis or HIV/AIDS.
The donation interval after a whole blood donation is 56 days. Please contact the
blood center for the specific interval for other product donations.
Please consult Bonfils Blood Center's Donor Relations Department at
303-363-2202 for complete information on donor eligibility. Bonflls Blood
Center 24-hour information lines are 303-366-2000 or 1-800-365-0006.
Health Conditions
Cancer
Donor is eligible with a history of basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma-in-situ
(any size) or solar (actinic) keratosis. All other forms of cancer will be assessed at time of donation. Lymphoma and leukemia are currently deferrals.
Colds
Donor is eligible if symptoms are limited to stuffy nose (with clear drainage) or mild
head congestion.
Diabetes
Donor is eligible if diabetes is controlled by diet or oral medication. Insulin-dependent diabetics may be acceptable, if free from infection, with permission of personal medical physician.
Donor is deferred if they used bovine insulin manufactured in the United Kingdom since 1980.
Heart Disease
Donors with a history of heart disease or heart attacks may donate if given permission by
their personal medical physician. High blood pressure is acceptable if within our acceptable range when taken on the day of donation, regardless of medication.
Hepatitis/Hepatitis Exposure
Donor is deferred for 12 months following hepatitis B or hepatitis C exposure.
Donor is deferred with history of viral hepatitis at age 11 or older.
Donor is deferred for 50 days after hepatitis A exposure with no treatment.
Travel
Donor is deferred 12 months after travel to a malarial-endemic area.
Donor is deferred three years after departure from a malarial-endemic area if he/she is an
immigrant, refugee, citizen or resident of the area.
Residents are defined as haying lived in the area for more than five years.
CJD (human form of mad cow disease)
Donor is deferred for travel/residence of 3 months or more in the United Kingdom from
1980 to 1996.
Donors should speak with a Bonfils representative regarding time spent in Europe.
Extended periods of time in Europe may be a reason for deferral, however donors should not
defer themselves. Each case will be assessed at the time of donation or by calling
Donor Relations at 303-363-2202.
Surgery
Donor is eligible when recovered and has resumed activities of daily living. Donor is deferred 12 months after surgery involving a transfusion of blood or blood products. Donation should not occur if the donor will have surgery within the next six weeks.
Transfusion
Donor is deferred 12 months after a transfusion of blood or blood products.
HIV/AIDS
Individuals who have had a positive test for HIV/AIDS or who are at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS are permanently deferred from donating blood. Risk factors include:
Use of illegal or street drugs by needle, even once.
Taking money or drugs for sex since 1977.
Male-to-male intimate/sexual contact, even once, since 1977.
Treatment with clotting factor concentrates for hemophilia or similar blood clotting disorders.
Other Donation Factors
Acupuncture
Donor is eligible if practitioner is an M.D., D.O., D.C. or a licensed acupuncturist with the state of Colorado.
Ear/Body Part Piercing
Donor is eligible if piercing is performed in a physician’s office using sterile, single-use disposable needles. Otherwise, donor is deferred for 12 months.
Tattoos
Donor is deferred for 12 months after receiving a tattoo.
Medications
Most medications are acceptable. It is usually the condition rather than the medication that determines donor eligibility.
Deferrals
Accutane, Proscar, Propecia, Soriatane, Tegison
Coumadin
Flu Shot – 24-hour deferral
Allergy vaccines – 24-hour deferral
Mumps/Measles – two-week deferral
Rubella/MMR – one month deferral
Hepatitis A and B vaccines – 24-hour deferral
Antibiotics to treat infections – 48-hour deferral after completion with no signs or symptoms of infection