Blood donation

Donating blood platelets or plasma has always been a noble pursuit to help those in need. In recent years, finding suitable donors has become increasingly more difficult, causing a drastic supplyshortage. The American Red Cross has been encouraging more people to come forward, but a lot of willing donors are being turned away.

Determining your Eligibility

One of the reasons for this isbecause of the increasing popularity of body art - if you've had a tattoo or piercing within the last year, you are not eligible to donate blood in most states, according to their rules.



PiercingEligibility Guidelines

"Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile, one time use. Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free ofblood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis."

Tattoo Eligibility Guidelines

"Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does notregulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile technique. Only a few states currentlyregulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at thetime of donation."(American Red Cross website)

When you go to a blood bank to give plasma, they ask you a series of questions to determine if you are eligible to donate. Obviously, they don't wantto risk accepting contaminated blood, so they will ask about your sexual history, current health status and other related questions, including whether or not you have gotten a tattoo or piercingwithin the last twelve months.



All blood that is donated is screened for diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis and other common blood-born ailments. However, it goes without saying that it is...