Blood Donor Eligibility

Thank you for volunteering to donate with Rock River Valley Blood Center. Please read the guidelines below to ensure you are ready to donate. Your donation can save up to three lives and you’re sure to get that amazing feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction for helping.

We hope you will consider donating blood if:

• You are in general good health: you have a normal temperature, blood pressure, pulse and meet the hemoglobin guidelines.
• You are 17 years old (or 16, with Parental Consent. Click here to download consent form)
• You weigh at least 110 pounds.
• It has been at least 8 weeks since your last whole blood donation.

Most medications will not defer you from donating blood. Conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure do not necessarily disqualify you from donating blood.

Please take note: We recommend that you eat a meal within 4 hours prior to donating. First Time Donors need to bring along personal photo identification.

Temporary Disqualifications for donating blood include:

• Cancer: It is OK to donate after curative treatment for basal cell skin cancer and squamous cell skin cancer. For most solid tumors, including those due to breast cancer, it is OK to give one year after completion of all treatment. Exceptions are melanoma, leukemia or lymphoma.
• Hepatitis: You may not donate if you’ve been exposed to hepatitis in the last 12 months.
• Malaria: You may not donate if you’ve traveled to an area of malarial risk.
• Pregnancy: You may not donate blood when you’re pregnant.
• Tattoo: Due to new regulations, anyone receiving a tattoo in an approved state after Jan 1, 2010 will no longer have to wait to donate blood. See the list of approved states by clicking here.

Guidelines for donating blood change frequently, so if you have questions about whether you qualify to donate, please talk to a donor care specialist by calling 815-965-8751 or 877-RRVBC-99 (877-778-2299)

What to do if you’re not eligible to donate:

Please remember, even if you aren’t currently eligible to give blood there are other ways you can support our community’s much-needed blood supply: host a blood drive, make a financial contribution, volunteer, or recruit other blood donors. Every little bit makes a difference in the lives of countless patients!