Donating Blood: International Students' Eligibility And Guidelines

International students interested in donating blood should be aware of certain criteria they must meet to be eligible. While there are no citizenship or visa requirements, a form of ID, such as a passport or driver's license, will be requested. Additionally, there are health and safety considerations, including weight and height requirements, and restrictions based on recent travel history to malaria-risk countries or regions with endemic diseases. Students must also be free of certain infections or diseases, such as acute bacterial or viral infections, and active tuberculosis. It is important to note that the final determination of eligibility is typically made by medical professionals at the time of donation.

International students can donate blood in the USA

International students in the USA can donate blood, but they must meet certain requirements. Firstly, donors must be at least 17 years old in most states, or 19 years old for female donors, and weigh at least 110 lbs, with additional height and weight requirements for students and donors 18 years of age or younger.

There are also restrictions based on travel history, as those who have lived in or travelled to certain areas may be temporarily or permanently disqualified from donating blood. For example, there is a 12-month ban on donating blood after visiting a country with malaria, and a three-year ban after a stay of five years or more. Additionally, the Red Cross does not accept blood donations from individuals born in or who have lived in Western Africa since 1977 due to the presence of a rare form of HIV called Type O, which cannot always be detected by HIV tests.

Other factors that may affect eligibility include medication use, with most medications requiring a waiting period after the final dose, and health conditions such as low iron levels or hematocrit, which is a measure of the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. It is important to note that rules may differ between blood donation programs, and the final determination of eligibility is typically made at the time of donation.

International students interested in donating blood in the USA should contact their local blood donation center or the Donor Client Support Center to obtain the most up-to-date eligibility information and ensure they meet all the necessary requirements.

There are no citizenship or visa requirements

International students can donate blood. There are no citizenship or visa requirements for blood donation. However, donors must meet specific criteria to be eligible to donate blood.

Firstly, donors must be in good health. This includes not having a fever, being able to breathe through your mouth, and not having an acute infection. If you are taking antibiotics, the reason must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmitted by blood.

Secondly, donors must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old with parental/guardian consent if allowed by state law. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as the donor is in good health.

Thirdly, donors must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible to donate blood.

Additionally, donors who have travelled outside of the United States and Canada in the past three years, regardless of malaria risk, should fill out a form and bring it to their appointment. Certain countries have endemic diseases, such as malaria, that can be transmitted through blood. Therefore, donors who have lived in or travelled to a malaria-risk country in the past three years may be deferred from donating blood or platelets.

Finally, donors will be asked for a form of ID, such as a driver's license, passport, donor card, or student photo ID, and will be asked screening questions.

A form of ID is required, e.g. passport, driver's license

International students can donate blood, and there are no citizenship or visa requirements for blood donation. However, donors must meet specific criteria to be eligible to donate blood. One of the requirements is to provide a form of identification (ID). Acceptable forms of ID include a driver's license, passport, donor card, or student photo ID. This is to ensure the safety of both patients and donors, as certain countries have endemic diseases that can be transmitted through blood.

The eligibility criteria for blood donation vary depending on the region and the blood collection center. It is important to contact the specific blood donation center or refer to their website for the most up-to-date and accurate eligibility information. Additionally, the final determination of eligibility is often made by the attending nurse at the time of donation.

One important consideration for international students is their travel history. If an international student has traveled or lived outside of the United States and Canada in the past three years, they may need to complete additional forms or undergo further screening. This is because certain countries are considered malaria-endemic, and there is currently no sensitive blood test available for malaria. Therefore, a waiting period may be required before an individual can donate blood after traveling to or residing in a malaria-risk area.

Other factors that may affect eligibility include age, height, weight, general health, and specific medical conditions. For example, individuals under the age of 17 are typically not allowed to donate blood without parental or guardian consent, and certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes, must be under control and properly managed. Additionally, individuals with active tuberculosis or certain infections, such as a fever or acute bacterial or viral infections, may be temporarily deferred from donating blood.

It is important to note that the criteria mentioned above provide general guidelines, and each blood donation center may have specific additional requirements. Therefore, international students interested in donating blood should carefully review the eligibility requirements of their chosen blood donation center and ensure they meet all the necessary criteria before scheduling an appointment.

Students must be 17+ years old, weigh at least 110 lbs, and be in good health

International students can donate blood, and there are no citizenship or visa requirements for blood donation. However, donors must meet specific criteria to be eligible to donate blood. One of the primary requirements is that students must be 17+ years old in most states. Each state determines its own age of majority, and those under 17 cannot give consent to donate blood. However, 16-year-olds may donate with parental or guardian consent, provided it is allowed by state law. There is no upper age limit for blood donation, as long as the donor is in good health and has no restrictions on their regular activities.

Weight is another crucial factor, and donors must weigh at least 110 lbs for their safety and eligibility. Additionally, students must be in good health and feel well on the day of donation. A donor with an acute infection or a fever cannot donate. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, must be under control and properly managed.

Furthermore, international students should be aware of travel restrictions. If they have travelled outside the United States and Canada in the past three years, they must disclose this information. This is because certain countries have endemic diseases, such as malaria, that can be transmitted through blood. As a result, students who have travelled to or lived in malaria-endemic regions may need to wait up to three years before becoming eligible to donate blood again.

It is important to note that the final determination of eligibility is made at the time of donation by the attending nurse. While these guidelines provide a general overview, specific rules may differ between programs and blood centres. Therefore, students considering blood donation should refer to the most up-to-date eligibility information and consult with the relevant authorities or medical professionals.

Travel history is considered, especially to malaria-risk countries

International students can donate blood, and there are no citizenship or visa requirements for blood donation. However, travel history is considered, especially travel to malaria-risk countries. If you have travelled to or lived in a country with a high risk of malaria, a waiting period may be required before you can donate blood. This is because malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes and cannot be tested for in donated blood. Canadian Blood Services uses the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) malaria information to determine which countries have malaria risk.

The length of the waiting period depends on the specific country or region travelled to. For example, for Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, a waiting period is only triggered if the donor has spent more than 24 hours in a location where the chances of acquiring malaria are high. In the case of Papua New Guinea, even docking in a port can trigger a waiting period, although this does not include airport terminals.

The waiting period allows for the testing of malaria antibodies upon the donor's return. If the malaria antibody test is positive, the donor's blood cannot be used. It is important to note that the criteria for malaria eligibility may disproportionately affect individuals who have travelled to or immigrated from regions where malaria is endemic. As testing platforms and research advance, eligibility criteria are continuously reviewed to remove existing barriers to donation.

In addition to malaria, other mosquito-borne viruses, such as Zika, can also impact blood donation eligibility. If an individual has travelled to a country with a risk of Zika, a waiting period before donating blood may be required. Similarly, travel to countries with a risk of the West Nile virus may necessitate a waiting period of up to four weeks.

It is recommended that donors look up their travel details and complete any necessary travel forms before their donation appointment. By answering health check questions honestly, donors can help ensure the safety of the blood supply for patients in need. Eligibility specialists are also available to provide guidance on donation eligibility based on travel history.

Frequently asked questions