Who can donate blood?
I donate platelets and whole blood regularly (in Michigan) and they have quite a list of things that will defer you from donating:
You can not donate if you:
1. ever had hiv
2. ever had malaria.
3. had hepatitis after the age of 10.
4. lived in certain countries for more than 3 months.
5. ever had sexual contact with a man (if you are a man).
6. ever paid for sex.
7. had a tatoo in the last 12 months.
8. weigh less than 110 pounds.
9. are younger than 17.
10. are pregnant.
11. ever used intravenous illegal drugs.
12. are anemic.
13. are taking Coumadin, Proscar, Propecia, Accutane, Avodart.
You can also be deferred for a time if you have visited a part of a country where malaria is present. They ask you where you have traveled in the last three years (they have a list they use - for example they list Santo Domingo as malaria free, but Santo Domingo-Haina as a malaria area).
You may donate if you are brestfeeding, menstruating (if feeling well), taking the following medications: High Blood Pressure Medications, Insulin (by mouth or injection), Allergy Medications, Asthma Medications, Anti-depressants,
Aspirin (48 hours for platelet donation), Cholesterol Lowering Medications,
Seizure Medications, Diet Pills.
The donor screening process here is very good, and they also test the product before releasing it for use.
Hope this helps the discussion a little.
Papillon (O Neg - the Universal Donor - But can only receive O Neg)