Who can donate plasma
On this page:
Check whether you meet the basic plasma donation criteria.
Who can donate plasma
To donate plasma you will need to:
- be able to travel to a plasma donor centre in Birmingham, Reading or Twickenham
- be able to spare 1 hour 15 minutes to donate
- be generally fit and well
- be between the ages of 17 and 65
- weigh at least 50kg (7st 9)
- have suitable veins and a normal pulse (we will check these before you donate)
- meet all donor eligibility criteria (we'll discuss this with you before you donate)
Other reasons why you might need to wait
You will need to wait before you can donate if you:
- are pregnant
- have had a baby in the last 6 months
- have recently got a tattoo or piercing
- travel to and from certain countries outside the UK
- are undergoing assessment or investigations for a medical condition. For example, heart conditions
Who can't donate plasma
You can't donate plasma if you:
- have had most types of cancer
- have some heart conditions
- have received blood, platelets, plasma or any other blood products after 1 January 1980
- have tested positive for HIV or HTLV
- have had an organ transplant
- are a hepatitis B carrier
- are a hepatitis C carrier
- have injected non-prescribed drugs including body-building and injectable tanning agents
There are other medical conditions that may mean you can't donate. Please call us on 0300 123 23 23 to check if you can donate.
I can afford to give my plasma to someone in need, it’s my way of sharing a bit of happiness. The team at the centre are lovely, they feed me chocolate!
Veronika Royle donates plasma in Reading.