NEWS: Red Cross Changes Rules to Allow More People to Donate

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Red Cross Changes Rules to Allow More People to Donate

March 31, 2005, 10:49 AM EST

TOLEDO -- If you have previously been turned down to donate blood

because of a tattoo, cardiac medications or traveling overseas, it

might be time for you to try and donate blood again. The Red Cross has

implemented new rules and regulations including the new Uniform Donor

Health Questionnaire that will allow more people to donate.

Donors who have been tattooed by a licensed tattoo parlor can give

blood without the previous one year deferral. Individuals deferred in

the past for autoimmune disorders such as lupus may donate.

Only limited medications are cause for deferral and taking cardiac

medications does not necessarily defer you anymore. The mad-cow disease

deferrals associated with travel to Europe and UK have also changed as

have other reasons for deferral.

If you have been deferred in the past and would like to know if you may

donate under the new rules, the Red Cross says you can contact Donor

Suitability at 419-321-1742, ext 289 between the hours of 8:30am to

5:00pm to find out more.

To donate blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least

110 pounds but not more than 350 pounds, be in general good health,

feel well on the day of donation and not have donated whole blood

within the previous 56 days. Blood donors are not restricted by an

upper age limit and have no risk of contracting HIV or other infectious

diseases, according to American Red Cross Blood Services.

The American Red Cross Western Lake Erie Region needs to collect 300

units of donated blood per day to provide an adequate supply to its 23

area hospitals throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan.

Please call (419) 539-1009 or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) to

schedule an appointment or for more information.