Welsh Blood Service

www.welsh-blood.org.uk/

You can volunteer to become a blood donor if you are aged between 17 and 66 years old. You should be in general good health and weigh at least 50 kgs (7 stone 12 lbs)

Most people are OK to give blood but we check each time that there are no reasons why we should not take a donation from you. This is because we have to take good care of you when you give blood and be sure that an infection is not transmitted to any patients who may receive your blood.

You may not be eligible to give blood if:

You are pregnant or have recently been pregnant. Please wait at least one week for every completed week of your pregnancy before offering to donate.
You have, or have had, an illness such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, ulcerative colitis, Crohns’ disease.
You are taking certain medication, on a hospital waiting list, undergoing medical tests or have undergone surgery or medical tests in the past 6 months - please check with us first.
If you have a job such as driving an HGV (over 7,500 kgs), PSV or for the emergency services, you should not offer to give blood just before going on duty or while on duty.
In the past 6 months have you had any surgery or an examination with a flexible endoscope (magic eye)?

You should not give blood if it could transmit an infection to anyone who might receive it such as:

If you have ever injected illegal or non-prescribed drugs including body building drugs, even if it was a long time ago or only once.
If you engage in activities that puts you at risk of infection with HIV, or Hepatitis B or C, or if you are HIV positive or carry the Hepatitis B or C virus.
If you are a man who has had sex with another man.

If you have had any piercing to your face or body, a tattoo or cosmetic treatment that involved piercing the skin within the previous 12 months.
If you have received a transfusion since 1 January 1980, or have had a tissue or organ transplant and needed to take drugs to suppress your immune system.