What age should you not give blood? Demystifying senior donor eligibility

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the American Red Cross, there is no upper age limit for blood donation, as long as you are in good health. This fact is often surprising to people who have heard outdated information about age restrictions, making the question "What age should you not give blood?" a common one.

Quick Summary

In the United States, there is no maximum age for donating blood, but a minimum age of 17 (or 16 with parental consent) is required. Eligibility is determined by overall health, weight, and a medical screening, not by your birth year, so healthy older adults can and do continue to donate regularly.

Key Points

No Upper Age Limit: In the U.S., there is no maximum age for donating blood, contrasting with some international policies.
Health is Key: Eligibility is determined by your overall health, including weight and chronic conditions, rather than your specific age.
Senior-Specific Care: Older donors should be extra mindful of hydration and recovery time, and may need a doctor's note for some centers.
Older Donors are Valued: Older, regular donors are highly appreciated by blood centers for their consistent contributions and reliable health.
Debunk the Myths: Misconceptions about age limits can prevent healthy seniors from donating, a myth that has roots in outdated policies.

Debunking the Upper Age Limit Myth

For many years, some blood banks and organizations had policies that restricted older donors. For example, the American Association of Blood Banks once required individuals over 65 to get a doctor's note to donate. This policy, however, was rescinded in 1978 after studies showed older adults could donate safely. Decades later, this myth persists, leading to confusion and preventing many potential donors from giving blood.

Today, the focus is not on age, but on the overall health of the donor. A senior citizen in good health, who meets all other eligibility requirements, is just as welcome to donate as a healthy young adult. In fact, many blood centers highly value their older, experienced donors who contribute consistently over the years. Some blood centers, like the New York Blood Center, may require a doctor's consent for donors over a certain age, such as 76, but this is a specific requirement by that organization, not a universal rule.

Standard Health Eligibility Factors Beyond Age

While age is not a limiting factor, a comprehensive health screening is required for all donors, regardless of their age. A number of factors are assessed to ensure both the safety of the donor and the recipient.

General Health and Well-Being

Good Health: You must be feeling well and healthy on the day of your donation. This means no cold, flu symptoms, or active infections.
Chronic Conditions: Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as they are well-controlled and you feel well. However, conditions like severe anemia, advanced heart disease, or uncontrolled diabetes may disqualify you.
Recent Illness: If you have recently been sick, you will need to wait until you are fully recovered and symptom-free. Taking antibiotics for an infection requires a waiting period after your last dose.

Weight and Hydration

Weight: You must weigh at least 110 pounds for your own safety. The volume of blood donated is based on body weight, and for individuals under this weight, the blood loss could be too destabilizing. For younger donors, there may be additional height and weight requirements.
Hydration: It is crucial to be well-hydrated before donating. Seniors, in particular, should drink plenty of water before and after their donation to help their body recover the fluid balance more quickly.

Medications and Lifestyle

Medications: Most medications do not disqualify you, but your eligibility is based on the reason for the prescription. For example, being on blood thinners like warfarin means you cannot donate blood. Specific time deferrals also apply to certain acne treatments and other drugs. You should always bring a list of your current medications with you to your appointment.
Lifestyle: Factors like recent travel to certain countries, recent tattoos or piercings, and specific sexual health risks are all part of the eligibility screening.

Comparison of Age Requirements by Country

While the U.S. has no upper age limit, this is not true everywhere. Policies vary by country and are regularly reviewed based on research and safety data.


Location	Initial Eligibility Age	Upper Age Limit/Conditions
United States	17 (16 with consent in some states)	None, based on health
United Kingdom (NHS)	17	New donors can donate up to age 66. Over 70s must have donated in the last 2 years and meet criteria.
Canada	17	None, based on health
Australia	18	None, based on health
New Zealand	16	New donors can donate up to age 71. Returning donors up to age 81 if they've donated in the last 2 years.

The Benefits of Senior Blood Donation

Donating blood offers more than just the altruistic reward of helping others. For seniors, it can provide several benefits that support overall well-being:

A Renewed Sense of Purpose: For many, blood donation is a consistent and meaningful way to give back to the community and feel connected.
Free Mini-Health Check: Every donation includes a free check of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and iron levels. While not a substitute for a doctor's visit, it provides a valuable health snapshot.
Potential Health Benefits: Some research suggests that blood donation might offer cardiovascular benefits by reducing excess iron levels, though findings are mixed and should be discussed with a doctor.

Conclusion: Your Health is the True Deciding Factor

The question of what age should you not give blood? has a simple answer: there is no magic number. As long as you are healthy, meet the weight requirements, and pass the confidential screening, you can continue to donate. It's a misconception that advancing age automatically disqualifies a person from being a hero. Instead of focusing on your age, focus on your health. If you are a senior who meets the criteria, your donation is incredibly valuable and needed. For personalized guidance on your eligibility, it's always best to check with your local blood donation center or your healthcare provider.

For more detailed information and to schedule an appointment, visit the American Red Cross website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, 70 is not too old to donate blood in the United States. As long as you are in good health, meet the minimum weight requirement, and pass the standard health screening, you are eligible to donate. Eligibility is based on health, not age.

Past policies, like one from the American Association of Blood Banks requiring a doctor's note for donors over 65, were based on older safety concerns. These rules were rescinded decades ago after studies confirmed that healthy older adults could donate safely. Today's practices prioritize overall health.

Yes, you can. While some local blood centers might have specific requirements, such as a doctor's note for those over 75, most organizations, including the American Red Cross, have no upper age limit. Your eligibility will be based on your health screening at the time of donation.

For healthy seniors who meet all eligibility requirements, blood donation is safe. However, older donors should be particularly vigilant about hydration and may take slightly longer to recover from the fluid loss. Following post-donation care instructions is especially important.

It depends on the specific blood donation center. While the American Red Cross generally does not require a doctor's note for seniors, some local centers, like the New York Blood Center for those over 76, do. It's always a good idea to check with your local blood bank beforehand.

While many chronic conditions are acceptable if well-controlled, certain health issues can be a disqualifier. This includes active infections, advanced heart disease, certain types of cancer, or a history of bleeding disorders. The eligibility interview will cover these factors in detail.

If you are no longer able to donate, there are many ways to support blood donation efforts. You can volunteer at a blood drive, help recruit new donors, share information about blood donation on social media, or make a financial donation to the Red Cross or another blood services organization.