Get ready to donate

Am I eligible to donate?

Most healthy adults are eligible. Here's what to know before your appointment — and where to check if a medication or recent travel affects your visit.

17+ (16 with parental consent)
At least 110 lbs
Feeling well today
Photo ID at check-in

Make an appointment Check medications

Donors smiling in front of the Northern California Community Blood Bank Bloodmobile

45 min

Average visit

Donor requirements

Most healthy adults are eligible to donate.

A quick health screen at check-in confirms your eligibility. Bring a photo ID and a list of any medications.

17 years or older

16 with parental consent in California.

Weigh at least 110 lbs

Additional height/weight rules for younger donors.

Feeling well today

No cold, flu, or fever on the day of donation.

56-day wait between donations

Platelets and plasma have different intervals.

Am I eligible to donate?

Explore eligibility topics

Everything you need to know before your first — or next — donation.

Medication Deferral List

Certain prescriptions require a temporary waiting period before donating.

See list on this page

Equal Screening for All

Every donor answers the same individual, risk-based screening questions.

View PDF

Blood Donor Educational Material

Required reading covering the donation process, risks, and your rights.

View PDF

Risks of Blood Donation

Blood donation is safe. Learn about the rare side effects and how we care for you.

View PDF

Parental Consent Form (16 years old)

Sixteen-year-old donors must bring a signed parental consent form.

View PDF

New FDA guidelines

A more inclusive donation process

Updated FDA blood donation eligibility rules were implemented October 2, 2023. Under the new rules, donor screening criteria are based on individual risk behaviors, not sexual or gender identity. This change eliminates previous FDA eligibility criteria based on sexual orientation.

We value an evidence-based approach to blood banking

The FDA's new guidelines are supported by research and careful quality control. The blood community's goal is to be as inclusive as possible while maintaining the highest level of safety for the blood supply. Donor eligibility undergoes frequent revisions based on current scientific evidence.

A safe and inclusive

Blood Supply

New Eligibility

Eligibility is based on individual risk-based questions asked of every donor — regardless of sexual orientation, sex, or gender.

Donor Gender

The Donor History Questionnaire is gender-neutral. Transgender people are welcome to donate blood.

Our Priority

We follow the most recent FDA-supported recommendations to maintain a safe and dependable blood supply, while welcoming everyone we can.

Deferral Times

When to wait before donating

Common deferral windows under the new individual-risk screening.

3 Months

Recent travel to certain malaria-risk countries — ask our staff for details.

1 Month

Isotretinoin (Accutane) or finasteride — wait one month from your last dose.

6 Months

Dutasteride (Avodart) — wait six months from your last dose.

Is this eligibility change being made because of political correctness?

No. The blood community's goal is to be as inclusive as possible while maintaining the highest level of safety for the blood supply. Donor eligibility undergoes frequent revisions resulting in changes based on current scientific evidence.

Isn't all blood tested anyway? Why are screening questions necessary?

Yes, every donation is tested for an array of infections that could potentially be transmitted by transfusion. But no test is perfect, and some infections have no reliable test available. Tests have a "window period" — the time between a new infection and when a lab test can reliably detect it. The Donor History Questionnaire is critical for identifying people who may have had a recent new exposure to an infection of concern, such as HIV or hepatitis C.

Medications

Medications we can't donate on

Most prescriptions are fine. A short list requires a temporary wait before you can donate. Bring your medication list to your appointment — our staff will confirm.

Full medication deferral list (PDF)

Blood thinners (Coumadin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa)

Wait: Talk to us — varies

Antibiotics for an active infection

Wait: Until treatment ends & you feel well

Isotretinoin (Accutane)

Wait: 1 month after last dose

Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)

Wait: 1 month after last dose

Dutasteride (Avodart)

Wait: 6 months after last dose

Growth hormone from human pituitary glands

Wait: Permanent deferral

Our donors

You belong here

Thousands of neighbors across the North Coast donate every year. If you're healthy and meet the basic requirements, there's a good chance you can too.

Donor relaxing during a blood donation — Relaxing at our Eureka center

Two donors smiling together — Regulars who make giving a habit

Bloodmobile parked at the Carson Mansion — Donating on the road with the Bloodmobile

Frequently asked questions

Answers before your first donation.

How long does a blood donation take?

Plan on about 45 minutes for whole blood — registration, a brief health screening, 8–10 minutes of actual collection, and a snack in our canteen. Apheresis (platelets or plasma) takes 1.5–2 hours.

How much blood is taken?

A whole blood donation is about one pint. Adults typically have 10–12 pints, and your body replaces the fluid within 24 hours.

How often can I donate whole blood?

Every 56 days. Platelet donors can give every 7 days (up to 24 times per year) and plasma donors every 28 days.

Is there a minimum or maximum age?

You must be at least 17 (16 with written parental consent in California). There's no upper age limit as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements and feel well.

Will I find out my blood type?

Yes — we tell you your blood type for free after your first donation. It's one of the easiest ways to learn something important about your health.

Is donating blood safe?

Yes. We use sterile, single-use collection kits and follow FDA and AABB safety standards. You cannot get any disease from donating.

How does giving blood affect me?

For most donors the impact is minimal. Fluid levels return to normal within 24 hours, and your body replaces the pint you gave over the following weeks.

How should I prepare to donate?

Eat a healthy meal, drink extra water in the 24 hours before, get a good night's sleep, and bring a photo ID.

What is the universal blood type?

O-negative is the universal donor and can be given to patients of any type — which is why we need it most in trauma cases. AB-positive is the universal plasma donor.

Do you pay donors?

No. California and FDA regulations require an all-volunteer blood supply, and research shows volunteer donations are safer. The Northern California Community Blood Bank is a volunteer-supported nonprofit.

Are the health history questions required every time?

Yes. The FDA requires every donor to answer the health history questions at every visit — guidelines change, and it's the best way to keep the blood supply safe.

Can I donate if I take medication?

Most medications do not disqualify you. Bring a list of what you take and our staff will confirm during screening. See our medication deferral list on the eligibility page.

How can I raise my iron level?

Iron-rich foods like red meat, dark leafy greens, beans, and raisins — or a multivitamin with iron — can help. Some donors are temporarily deferred if iron is low; it protects your health.

Can I bring my kids with me?

Yes, in the waiting or canteen areas. For safety and confidentiality, children aren't allowed in the screening room or collection area. Our staff love answering their questions.

Where does my donation go?

We prioritize local patients first — donations support hospitals across Humboldt and Del Norte counties before any surplus is shared with the broader network.

Are you affiliated with the Red Cross?

No. The Northern California Community Blood Bank is an independent nonprofit that exclusively serves patients and hospitals on the North Coast.

Ready when you are

Book your appointment today.

Call our donor line or reserve online. Walk-ins welcome at our Eureka donor center and every mobile blood drive.

(707) 443-8004 Reserve online

Donor center hours

Monday8 AM – 6 PM
Tuesday8 AM – 6 PM
Wednesday8 AM – 7 PM
Thursday8 AM – 6 PM
Friday8 AM – 4 PM
Sat & SunClosed

2524 Harrison Ave
Eureka, CA 95501