Platelet Donation Eligibility and Rules
You may be interested in donating platelets and wonder if you are eligible.
For health and safety reasons, we must follow specific requirements for donors. We encourage you to review the following and contact us with any questions.
Who Can Donate Platelets?
You should be aware that there are several rules for donating platelets. To be eligible to donate, you must
- Be 18 to 69 years of age
- Weigh 110 pounds (50 kg) or more
- Be in good overall health
- Complete a health history questionnaire, physical exam, and blood test
- Have an acceptable blood pressure at the time of your donation
- Be at least six months postpartum (please consult your provider before donating)
- Test negative for any transmissible diseases or infections (hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, measles, COVID-19, monkeypox, etc.)
- Be symptom-free if you have had the flu or a cold
- Disclose any medical conditions and all medications you take
We also recommend you maintain certain healthy habits:
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet, including plenty of protein, calcium, and iron
- Stay hydrated by drinking non-caffeinated fluids regularly
- Get plenty of sleep
- Get regular exercise (consult your provider if you have health concerns before starting a new exercise regimen)
- Avoid substance use (e.g., alcohol or tobacco)
Please Note: If you regularly take any prescription medications (including hormone replacement) or are currently on a prescribed medication, such as an antibiotic, contact us to determine your eligibility to donate.
What Do I Need To Donate?
In addition to meeting eligibility requirements for donation, you will need to bring the following documents to your appointment:
- Government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license or passport)
- Proof of residency (e.g., utility bill or cell phone bill)
- Proof of Social Security (e.g., pay stub or W-2)
What Disqualifies You From Donating Platelets?
Platelet donations must adhere to regulatory standards to ensure both donor and recipient safety. In addition to gathering your health history, we will perform non-invasive testing to ensure your blood meets all regulatory rules for donating platelets.
You are not eligible to donate platelets if you have ever:
- Had leukemia or lymphoma.
- Tested positive for HIV or Hepatitis B or C.
- Had sexual contact in exchange for drugs, money, or other payment.
- Injected unprescribed drugs or substances using a needle.
- Received a bone marrow or organ transplant.
- Received a transplant of animal tissue or organs (not including bones or heart valves).
- Received a dura mater (brain covering membrane) transplant.
- Had the Ebola virus.
- Been infected with Leishmaniasis or Chagas Disease.
You are not eligible to donate platelets if you have done any of the following in the last 12 months:
- Lived with someone with hepatitis (i.e., shared a bathroom or kitchen).
- Received skin, bone, or tissue from a donor.
- Spent more than 72 consecutive hours in jail, prison, or juvenile detention.
- Had sexual contact with someone who:
- Has hepatitis.
- Has ever tested positive for HIV.
- Has used a needle to inject unprescribed drugs or substances.
- Has had sexual contact with someone who accepts money or other payment for sex.
- Has had gonorrhea or syphilis or has been treated for either.
You are not eligible to donate platelets if you have done any of the following in the last four months:
- Traveled to an area with a high malaria risk (e.g., Central and South America, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Africa and Asia, Eastern Europe, parts of the Middle East, and certain Pacific Islands).
- Experienced a needle stick that exposed you to someone else’s blood.
- Became exposed to someone else’s blood in another way.
- Had a tattoo, piercing, permanent make-up, acupuncture, or microblading.
You are not eligible to donate platelets if the following apply:
- You have active tuberculosis, or you are being treated for tuberculosis.
- You have sickle cell disease (those with sickle cell trait may be eligible to donate).
- You have signs or symptoms that could be associated with an HIV infection: rash, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, or a fever.
- You have an active skin infection.
In the case of certain medications or conditions, you may be eligible to donate after a deferral period or after complete recovery.
Contact us if you have questions about your donation eligibility or platelet donation rules. If you are searching for a platelet donation center in Illinois, we welcome you to visit us at PlasmaSource.
Please note that donor eligibility is at the sole discretion of PlasmaSource.
