Checklist for Potential Donors

We aim to take good care of our donors.

We aim to collect blood that is safe to transfuse.
Please read the following information carefully. This information may help minimise the chance of being excluded
or deferred from donating blood and avoid unnecessary time spent away from work or other activities.

You ARE ELIGIBLE to donate blood if you:

Are a new donor aged 16-65 (but before your 66th birthday), up to 71st birthday for regular donors
Weigh at least 50kg. (if you are a first time donor under 25 years of age, you must also meet the height and
weight criteria tool available at www.nzblood.co.nz/am-i-eligible.)
Are completely well after having a cough, cold or flu
Have waited 6 months after tattooing or body piercing. An exception exists if the body piercing was performed
by a registered health professional (e.g. a Pharmacist, GP etc) and any inflammation has settled completely,
in which case you can donate blood 12 hours after the body piercing was performed
Have waited 24 hours following minor dental treatment or 1 month following major dental work
Have waited 84 days since your last blood donation and have not exceeded 4 donations in the last twelve months
(if you are a whole blood donor)
Some donors have medical conditions, are on medication, or have had treatment that will need to be discussed
with a NZBS donor nurse. This DOES NOT necessarily prevent you from donating. Some examples are listed below:
Gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, stomach upsets occurring more than 1 month ago
High or low blood pressure and any related medication
Thyroid medication
Skin medication
Acupuncture
If you have been overseas recently, please also refer to the Donating after Travelling tool available at
www.nzblood.co.nz to find out when you can donate, as travel to some areas may result in a stand down period.

You CANNOT donate blood if you:

Spent more than a total of 6 months in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland or France between 1 Jan 1980
& 31 Dec 1996, OR received a blood transfusion in ANY of these countries since 1980
Are HIV positive, or at risk of HIV, hepatitis B or C virus
Have had gastroenteritis, diarrhoea or stomach upset lasting more than 24 hours, in the past month
(Women only) Have had a baby in the last 9 months or you have breastfed your baby in the last 3 months
This is NOT a complete list of preclusions to donating.
If you have any queries please call us during business hours or for more information visit our website.
We recommend making an appointment for your next donation.
Always make sure you have eaten within 3-4 hours and have plenty of fluids before donating.
Please bring identification with you when you come to donate.

0800 GIVE BLOOD

0800 448 325
www.nzblood.co.nz
107I18706

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