Agencies
Services
January’s Focus is National Blood Donor Awareness Month
Information for Teen Donors
Young donors play an important role in helping to make sure that blood is available when and where it is needed most. It is important to have the best possible donation experience as you begin your donation journey. As someone who is new to donating blood, we encourage you to focus on being a healthy blood donor. Blood donations help save lives. Donating one pint of blood is a great way to give back to the community.
Here are a few things you should do to have the best possible experience:
- Be in good general health and feeling well.
- Maintaining your iron level is an important part of being a healthy donor. Learn more about iron and donating blood.
- Be at least 17 years old in most states (16 years old with parental consent in some states).
- Weigh at least 110 lbs. Additional height and weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school
student donors. - Have not donated blood in the last 56 days.
Please see the height and weight requirements by gender:
Be sure to visit the blood donation process page for more information about what to do before and after your donation.
To access the full article on tips for your teenager to prepare for blood donating, click here.