Donor requirements
General guidelines. The doctor or blood centre always makes the final decision on the day.
- Be in good physical and mental health.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Weigh at least 50 kg (110 lbs).
- Wait at least 90 days between whole-blood donations.
- Not currently have an infection, fever or untreated serious illness.
- Tell the blood centre about conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or organ disease, cancer, hepatitis or HIV/AIDS. Some conditions prevent donation, others are acceptable when well controlled.
Blood group compatibility
| Donor ↓ / Patient → | A+ | A- | B+ | B- | AB+ | AB- | O+ | O- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate |
| A- | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate |
| B+ | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate |
| B- | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate |
| AB+ | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate |
| AB- | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | – cannot donate |
| O+ | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate | ✔ can donate | – cannot donate |
| O- | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate | ✔ can donate |