To become a blood donor you must:
• Weigh at least 50kg
• Be between the ages of 16 and 65
• Be in good health
• Lead a sexually safe lifestyle
• Consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient
• Commit to donating blood regularly
Do not give blood if your lifestyle puts you at risk…
• If you had more than one sexual partner in the past 6 months
• If you’ve had sexual contact with someone whose sexual background is unknown to you
• A man who has had sex with another man
• If you have or may have contracted a sexually transmitted disease [STD] such as HIV or syphilis, that can be passed on to a patient through your blood
• If you have ever injected yourself with drugs
• If you just want to give blood in order to get the AIDS test
Also view:
• Where does the blood from donors go?
• HIV/ Aids and Road Safety
• Blood and Safety