Eligibility requirements
These are the main eligibility criteria for becoming a donor:
You must:
- Be between 18 and 60 years of age
- Weigh more than 50 kg and have normal blood pressure and heart rate
- Be a resident of the UK
- Be registered with a General Practitioner (GP) who is registered in the UK
- Be able to prove your identity when attending each appointment
- Have a UK bank account
You cannot donate if:
- You have been now or previously diagnosed with AIDS/HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B or C or any other blood borne infectious disease
- You have any medical problems like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, anaemia or any condition associated with excessive blood loss
- You are a drug user who has taken recreational drugs/drugs of abuse at any time in the previous 6 weeks
- You have consumed alcohol in the 24 hours before your appointment
- You have taken/applied any prescription or over-the-counter medications i.e. paracetamol, including topical ointments and anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen, within 1 week of the appointment. Contraceptive medications are the exception.
- If you have had any vaccination in the past 7 days
- You have donated blood anywhere else within the previous 4 months
- You are pregnant, or less than 6 months has passed since delivery or termination
You can find more information in our FAQ.
If you are able to donate, you can read about and apply for registration.