Greater Somerset County Chapter

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ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
Community Blood Council of NJ Inc.
 
Donor eligibility guidelines protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patients. The following information is a guideline.

At the time of donation each person will be evaluated, and will be required to present a signature ID. It is recommended that donors eat prior to donating blood.

If you have questions about your eligibility to donate
call Community Blood Council of NJ Inc at the toll free number: 1.866.2GIVENJ
or email: info@communitybloodcouncil.org
 
Basic Requirements:
. Age: 17 through 70

Note: Donors over 70 years of age who pass all the medical criteria can donate provided they have donated within the past 5 years, or written clearance from their physician.
. Weight: Minimum weight is 110 pounds.
. Blood Pressure: Must be within normal range. Persons on blood pressure medication are acceptable only if medication is taken for hypertension without beta-blockers for heart disease.
. Interval Between Donations:
Whole Blood: 56 days
Platelets: Every 2 weeks
ALYX: 112 days
. Medications: Deferral for most drugs is based on the underlying conditions. Examples of some acceptable medications are: blood pressure medication, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and vitamins.
. Diabetes: For those with Diabetes, please click here for requirements.
. Hereditary Hemochromatosis: For those with Hereditary Hemochromatosis, please click here for requirements.

. A member of any high-risk group for AIDS
. A history of hepatitis (after age 11)
. The following cancers are permanent deferrals: Ovarian, Myeloma, Hodgkin's, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Leukemia.
 
Condition/Medication Deferral Time
Active Allergies / Cold / Flu Until free of Symptoms
Body Piercing (See below) 1 Year
Received Blood or Blood Products 1 Year
Pregnancy 6 Weeks after delivery or termination
Surgery Upon discharge from MD
Skin Cancer
(squamous or basel cell carcinoma)
Surgically removed, healed with no recurrence
Traveled in a Malarial area, with / without medication 1 Year
Lived in a Malarial area 3 Years
Flu / Vaccine / Pneumonia Shot Accept (if symptom free)
Avodart 6 Months
Soriatane 3 years
Hepatitis B Vaccine 1 Day
Accutane 1 Month
Proscar 1 Month
Propecia 1 Month
Cancer (other than localized skin cancer) / Breast Cancer Need our Medical Director's Approval
Heart Disease Time dependant deferral
(MD approval)
Lymes Disease Vaccine 24 Hour
Ear piercing or acupuncture, done by aseptic technique in medically supervised settings or by the gun method with no signs of infection is acceptable.
 
. From 1980 through 1996 donors who have spent time that adds up to 3 months or more in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Gibraltar, or the Falkland Islands).
. From 1980 to the present received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom (Any of the above listed).
. Members of the US Military, a civilian Military employee or a dependent of a member of the US Military if they spent a total of 6 months or more associated with a military base in any of the following countries:

- From 1980-1990 in Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany, or

- From 1980-1996 in Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy or Greece.
. From 1980, have spent time that adds up to 5 years or more in Europe (including time spent in the United Kingdom).
 
UNITED KINGDOM:
Channel Islands England Falkland Islands
Gibraltar Isle of Man Northern Island
Scotland Wales  
WESTERN EUROPE
Andorra Austria Azores (Portugal)
Belgium Canary Islands Denmark
Faroe Islands Finland France
Greece Greenland Iceland
Ireland (Republic) Italy Liechtenstein
Luxembourg Madeira Islands Malta
Monaco Netherlands (Holland) Norway
Portugal San Marino Spain            
Svalbard Switzerland Vatican City
EASTERN EUROPE
Albania              Belarus Bosnia/Herzegovina
Bulgaria Croatia Czech Republic
Estonia Hungary Latvia
Lithuania Macedonia Moldova
Poland Romania Slovakia (Slovak Republic)
Ukraine Yugoslavia: Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia  
OTHER
Oman Turkey  
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14 West Cliff Street, Somerville NJ 08876   Phone: 908.725.2217   FAX:908.725.8846    E-mail:amercanredcrossgscc@covad.net
After Hours Emergency Assistance : 1-800-696-3873