There are some restrictions. I think if you have ever had hepatitis you are not allowed. I also think that if you have ever had syphilis you are not allowed, but this is conjecture on my part.

I think in most states, you have to be 16-18 and weigh minimum of 110. Here in Washington, at 16 and 17 you need parents signature. I keep seeing where blood banks are way down in stock, and they are calling for donors.

I just went and looked at restrictions listed on the Red Cross website. It appears there is a critical need so I’m going to make an appointment.

I just checked our local Red Cross web site, and we have a critical need, too, because so many blood drives have been cancelled at schools and other businesses. However, they apparently don't have new sites for donations set up just yet--the nearest date I could make an appt. was April 7.

The Red Cross folks who work blood drives are really, really good at finding a workable vein the first time and without pain. It's a great thing to do, if you are eligible and feel well!

Yes, there are restrictions. The Red Cross website mentions many of them.

Red Cross Blood Donation Eligibility

I'm not doing it. I had a sinus infection, which antibiotics mostly cleared earlier this month. Just in case it was something more serious, I'll skip it for now.

I'm unable to give blood due to having lived overseas at a time when mad cow disease was a thing. I definitely would if I could!

So not seeing any NEW /COVID-19 restriction on that link. At 61 I wonder if they would let me...I am not eligible until April 24th as I just gave...but I will for sure go and try.

I did a couple of weeks ago and am scheduled to go back 56 days after that - in May. There is such a need and it’s a small way i can help.

There is a thorough vetting system in place. Here you do most of it on a computer and then meet with a nurse for a few more questions. It is not onerous. I do not find it painful at all. I had thought about going this week, but now that DD is home because of her travel, we are self-isolating for 2 weeks. I will make an appt for after when we can go out again. Thanks for the reminder.

I have been considering it but have a "dummies" question. If you ave just given blood and then contact Covid19 will you be weaker and more prone to being sicker or have a much slower recovery. As I write this I realize how ignorant I am about medical issues.

I have a clotting disorder and have never been allowed to donate blood. DH does. There was a marvelous story on Morning edition on NPR this morning about a woman who has regularly donated blood for decades.

i'm going to make an appointment for this coming week -I think- I have O-negative blood, which I think is a universal donor blood, so I surely should. But I'm a tiny bit nervous. Due to my DH's risk factors (76, COPD, heart issue), we've been really isolating ourselves. He has not left the house in weeks, and I've tried to limit mine to once a week max for a pharmacy/grocery run. The last thing I want to do is get something while giving blood, and bring it home to him. But I also really, really want to give.

I have been donating blood for decades (6X per year), but will not be donating until CDC case numbers begin to decrease. The contact risk is still too high. I came to this decision after asking 3 med professionals (2 docs and a NP)) for their honest opinion. To those of you who have never donated, you are typically in a church or high school gym. The phlebotomist, who is taking your blood, was probably at a different location site yesterday and has family contact as well. If you are trying to isolate yourself and family, this experience could be a game changer. Just my opinion and it was a very difficult decision.

HCBM, Giving blood does NOT impact your own health in any material way. Plus, at least where we go, you get a free snack! https://www.healthline.com/health/disadvantages-blood-donation#dizziness

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/donation-process-overview.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyPbzBRDsARIsAFh15Jby20eApauaiizd9mqHxe4ZzBZpzIc0GzpoWIxqW3nBgJmo4mBUs1caAmJxEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

You need to ask your donation site about their protocols and decide for yourself if it presents infection risk. I have not donated as part of big blood drives, so my experience was *not* in a church or gym etc... it was more like a private dr apptmt. Please ask, as there is a great need.

Red Cross sites are not the only place to give. For example, in this state Bloodworks NW has a dozen permanent sites where we can donate and too: donate for our own upcoming surgeries where a transfusion may be expected.

They are taking donations by appt only right now, no walk ins and social distancing is ensured in a controlled environment.

I was disqualified for year after Mad Cow disease became a thing (I lived in Germany for a year). But I don't think the restriction is in place any longer in the same form, and think I could probably donate again, based on my review of the Red Cross guidelines. So I'm thinking about it. I donated regularly before, and passed hit the five gallon mark in two different systems. I just need to get with the program and figure out where to donate since it has been so many years. And then get over my concerns about going out.

I am also O neg and have donated many times. I haven't donated lately and won't now because I can't bring myself to leave the house. I am healthy but 72, and hub will be 80 next weekend. He is healthy and I intend to keep him that way by avoiding all contact, selfish as that may be. We aren't even seeing our family.

This too shall pass.

I'm O Neg, too and saw in the online local newspaper today that a weekly drive every Wednesday is happening 3 miles from my house, so I'll be donating there as soon as I can get an appt. I used to donate at the drives we had at work, until I retired.

I've always wished I could. Just even thinking about it makes me feel like I could pass out. I just don't look when I have blood samples taken, but I have deep, difficult to find veins and if the technician isn't particularly adept and kind, it causes me great distress. I've had them get mad at me because it was so difficult.

My late husband was a frequent donor and when I'd remark how faint it made me feel to even think about it, he'd say "Oh, it's just like getting your oil changed. Makes you feel great!" I admired that about him.

We lived in England during Mad Cow and are still unable to donate - even after 20 years. DH just rechecked with a Red Cross and it is still forbidden.

O negative here & donate regularly, I just wish they could accelerate the donor to recipient process.

Daisy, thanks for that. The screening info online didn't mention anything, so I thought it had been dropped. It seems ridiculous that I'd still be excluded, since even with Mad Cow's long incubation period, I would be showing symptoms by now (I lived there in 87/88).

I did donate yesterday, the first time since I was in college (decades ago). It was at a permanent Red Cross facility (storefront in a strip mall). I could only get an appointment to give platelets (whole blood appts were booked for weeks). That took a lot longer than I expected... 125 minutes just for the actual donation. I didn't research beforehand, so I naively thought it would be like giving whole blood. (For platelets, they take blood from one arm, remove the platelets, then put your blood back in the other arm.) They set me up with Netflix for the duration, which was a good thing, because 125 minutes being still and unable to move my arms was pretty tough, lol.

I'm an over 10 gal donor so far. I looked on line but the places were all booked up so far. So I think I'm going to have to call and see if I can't get an appointment that way.

The site that I went to was also taking walk-ins, no delays.

Closest donations to me right now is in a city I don't go to in the best of times. And not for nearly a couple of weeks.

I just called the red cross. First time I called, I was #34 in line. So I called again later, got through and my blood appointment won't be until 4/15 at a place 40 min from here.

I have a feeling it may be cancelled though. One was scheduled today for the local library and it was cancelled.

I donated last week (also O- so the love my blood!) and I was impressed with their process. I gave on one of the buses they use. They wipe everything down in-between people, even the inside of the blood pressure cuff.

My friend donated platelets yesterday—she donates regularly. Here’s what she had to say:

Red Cross was good. Very crowded. We had to stand outside six feet apart and our temperatures were taken before we went in, two at a time. Red Cross always has the protective gear on regularly. We are isolated in different rooms as our vitals are taken. Walk ins were turned away and asked to register online first.

The donation beds are 8 feet apart. We had our snacks at the end at separate tables. I noticed that the volunteers who are normally there were not around. It was only nurses and blood specialists. We all wore masks and gloves.

I donate plasma and platelets which is what the hospitals need.

I watched Netflix for two hours.

Well I made an appointment a week or so ago, and yesterday at 3 pm I received 2 emails from the red cross, the first telling me the drive was cancelled, the second confirming my appointment!?!?!