Who can give blood
Most people can give blood. You can give blood if you:
- are fit and healthy
- weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone, or 50kg and 160kg
- are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before)
- are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years
How often can I give blood?
Men can give blood every 12 weeks and women can give blood every 16 weeks. Find out more about what happens on the day of your donation.
Check you are able to give blood
You can check some of the most common eligibility questions we receive from blood donors.
If you have a health condition, have travelled out of the country recently, or if you answer "yes" to any question on your Donor Health Check questionnaire, please call 0300 123 23 23 or check the health & eligibility or travel section for further advice about whether this affects you donating blood.
You can register here as a blood donor.
The common reasons donors should check if they can give blood are:
- if you are receiving medical or hospital treatment
- if you are taking medication
- after travelling outside of the UK
- after having a tattoo or piercing
- during and after pregnancy
- if you feel ill
- if you have cancer
- after receiving blood, blood products or organs.
If you have any questions then contact us by completing a web form or call us on 0300 123 23 23.
Women under 20 - check if you can give blood
If you are a woman under 20 and you weigh under 10st 3lb or 65kg or are under 5' 6" or 168cm tall you will need to estimate your blood volume to see if you can give blood. If your weight lies between two of the values shown, please use the nearest lower weight.
Estimated blood volume for female donors aged 17-19:
Estimate
Blood Safety
We must make sure it is safe for people to give blood and for patients to receive donated blood. Blood safety information is below:
You must not give blood or platelets if...
- You think you need a test for HIV/AIDS, HTLV or hepatitis.
You must never give blood or platelets if...
- You are HIV positive.
- You are a hepatitis B carrier.
- You are a hepatitis C carrier.
- You are HTLV positive
- You have ever had or been treated for syphilis
- You have ever injected, or been injected with, drugs; even a long time ago or only once. This includes body-building drugs and injectable tanning agents. You may be able to give if a doctor prescribed the drugs. Please check with us to make sure.
You must not give blood or platelets for at least 3 months if...
- You are working as a sex worker. You may be accepted for donation if it is longer than 3 months since you last received money or drugs for sex.
You must not give blood or platelets for at least 3 months after sex (even if you used a condom or other protective) with...
- (If you are a man) a man who, in the last 3 months has had oral or anal sex with another man (even if you used a condom or other protective). More information regarding this ruling about men who have sex with men.
- (If you are a woman) a man who has ever had oral or anal sex with another man, even if they used a condom or other protective. There are exceptions, so please check.
- A partner who is, or you think may be:
- HIV positive
- A hepatitis B carrier
- A hepatitis C carrier
- HTLV positive
- Syphilis positive
- A partner who has ever received money or drugs for sex.
- A partner who has ever injected, or been injected with, drugs - even a long time ago or only once. This includes body-building drugs and injectable tanning agents. You may be able to give if a doctor prescribed the drugs. Please check with us to make sure.
- A partner who has, or you think may have been, sexually active in parts of the world where HIV/ AIDS is very common. This includes most countries in Africa. There are exceptions, so please check with us to make sure.
