You can volunteer to become a blood donor if you are aged between 17 and 66 years old. The retirement age is 70. 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 or diabetes that has to be controlled by medication, treated with tablets or insulin.
- 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 your lifestyle 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. Why we ask men who have sex with other men not to donate blood - Click here for more information.
- 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.
West Nile Virus - Important notice for blood donors. Please note that if you visit any part of Canada or the USA between 1st May and 30 November there will extra guidelines that will apply to you. You will not be able to donate for at least four weeks from your return and possibly not for six months. Click here for more information.
Malaria - special rules apply for visitors to malarial areas and for people who have had malaria or who have been resident in a malarial area for a continuous period of six months or more at any time of life. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions on. Click here for more information on Malaria.
For more about who can give blood please visit our Frequently Asked Questions
If you satisfy our eligibility criteria please complete our Online Enrolment Form
If you wish to make a medical enquiry please complete our Medical Enquiry Form
If you wish to check with us on your eligibility before you enrol or attend a donation session please call us on 0800 252266. Lines are open from 9am to 9pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 5pm on Fridays.
Additional comprehensive information is available in the UK Blood Transfusion Services Donor Selection Guidelines (this link will open in a new browser)
A more detailed leaflet "What Happens When You Give Blood" is available at sessions or on request from the
Donor Services Department,
Ely Valley Road,
Talbot Green,
Pontyclun,
CF72 9WB
and from our download section.