Eligibility criteria

Thank you for your interest in donating blood, platelets and/or plasma!

This section contains answers to common questions you might have before your appointment, to help determine if you’re able to donate.

We know your time is valuable, and it’s important to us that your donor experience is a positive one, which is why we encourage all donors to review eligibility criteria and/or take the eligibility quiz before booking your appointment. Please keep in mind that donor eligibility and ability to donate can change over time. Even if you can’t donate now, you may be able to do so in the future.

The final determination of eligibility will be made by our donor centre staff at the time of donation.

It only takes about an hour of your time to change someone’s life.

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Explore the topics below to find out if you’re eligible to donate

Various factors can determine whether a person can donate at any given time. Eligibility criteria can also differ depending on whether you are donating blood, platelets, or plasma. Sometimes, it’s not possible to donate, or we may ask that you wait before donating again.

Age, gender and weight

To become a blood donor in Canada you must be at least 17 years old and meet our minimum height and weight requirements.

Drugs and alcohol

Donors must not be impaired at the time of donation so we can obtain informed consent. Intravenous drugs make you ineligible.

Hemoglobin and iron

To ensure donors have sufficient hemoglobin after donation and to prevent anemia, a minimum hemoglobin level is required.

Medical conditions and treatments

Some medical conditions effect your ability to donate or may make you temporarily ineligible to donate.

Medications and vaccines

Most medications do not prevent you from donating. If you have recently been vaccinated, you may be temporarily ineligible.

Piercings and tattoos

Donors must wait three months after getting a tattoo or a piercing before returning to donate. 

Pregnancy

While pregnant, and for six months after childbirth, donors are not eligible to donate.

Sexual behaviour

All donors are asked about sexual behaviour. Donors must wait three months after anal sex with a new partner or multiple sexual partners.

Travel and living abroad

If you have previously lived or travelled outside of Canada, where you’ve been may affect your ability to donate.

Learn more about donating blood and plasma

Accessibility

We are committed to making our donor centres as accessible and inclusive as possible for all. Find out how this affects your ability to donate.

False positive test results

Every donation is tested for infectious diseases. Occasionally, a test may suggest disease is present when in fact, it is not. Find out how this affects your ability to donate.

Recent criteria changes

Donor eligibility criteria change based on current scientific evidence. Donors who were previously deferred could now be eligible to donate. Don’t count yourself out.

Visaree, a blood donor, sitting in a donation chair while donating blood, looking directly at the camera with a big smile. Visaree’s donation arm is at the forefront of the image.

First-time donor? Get started here.

Giving blood can save someone’s life. But for a donor, the experience can be deeply rewarding and validating. It’s about more than just giving a part of yourself to someone else; together, we’re saving each other. Experience what you get when you give, today.

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