Deferred DonorsIf you were deferred, you can still make a difference. Most deferrals are temporary, and donors can plan their next donation right away. For extended or permanent deferrals, you can support the Red Cross mission in other ways. Common Reasons for Deferrals
Deferral Reason #1 Low Hemoglobin / HematocritThe most common cause of mild anemia in otherwise healthy people – particularly women – is a low level of iron. Iron is needed to make hemoglobin. Blood donation removes iron from the body and may cause or contribute to low iron levels or anemia. If your low hemoglobin is due to low iron, you can replenish the supply by increasing your intake of high-iron foods or by taking iron supplements or multivitamins with iron. We check donors' hemoglobin at every donation and it must be above minimum value required for blood donation which is 12.5g/dL. Hemoglobin values for healthy humans usually fall within the following ranges: Men: 13.8 – 17.2 g/dL Women: 12.1 – 15.1 g/dL If your hemoglobin is within the normal ranges above, or if you have been able to give blood in the past, please try again to donate at a future blood drive. If your hemoglobin is below the lower value of the range, or has been low on several occasions, talk to your physician about your specific test results. Abnormally low hemoglobin - also called anemia - can develop when a person either does not make enough red blood cells or loses blood from the body. What to DoIf your hemoglobin is within the range, we encourage you to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of iron- and vitamin-C-rich foods for the next two months, and then try to donate again. Back to top Deferral Reason #2 Cold, flu or other illness symptomsFor the safety of both donors and recipients, donors that do not feel well on the day of donation should not donate blood. Donors may return to donate 24 hours after all symptoms have cleared. What to Do
Back to top Deferral Reason #3 Temporary deferralsSome eligibility requirements, such as those related to some travel destinations or medications, may cause a temporary deferral for a period, such as three months or a year. What to Do
Back to top Deferral Reason #4 Permanent deferralsEligibility criteria, such as certain medical conditions, may prevent you from being able to donate blood in general. What to Do
Back to top |