BC will be holding a blood drive with Bloodworks Northwest on Feb. 7. To participate, make an appointment in advance through the Bloodworks website.
More Information:
BC will be holding a blood drive with Bloodworks Northwest on Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in C130 as part of the Winter Community Day. To participate make an appointment in advance through the Bloodworks website.
There are some situations or conditions that may disqualify an individual as a blood donor. You can learn about eligibility below as well as at the Bloodworks website.
Medical Conditions
Some health conditions, medications, vaccinations, or medical procedures may temporarily or permanently prevent individuals from donating blood.
Donor Deferral, Men Who Have Sex with Men
On April 2, 2020, the FDA changed its guidelines for men who have sex with men (MSM) from a 1-year deferral to a 3-month deferral. This means men who have not had sexual contact with another man in the past 3 months can be eligible to donate blood.
Bloodworks Northwest is among the first blood organizations in the U.S. to implement the new FDA guidelines. Bloodworks Northwest applauds the FDA’s decision as an important step toward creating an equal opportunity to give blood to support local patients. The change is backed up by current testing accuracy, reliability, and medical science. It reflects FDA consultation with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as current research from the U.S. and abroad.
Bloodworks Northwest understands and shares the frustration of the LGBTQ community that even under the revised FDA guidelines some people who want to donate blood cannot. We continue to urge the FDA to explore approaches that will expand the available donor base, while applying the best data, science and medical knowledge available to ensure continued safety of the community blood supply.
Travel Outside the U.S. or Canada
Malaria is transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes found in certain countries and may be transmitted to patients through blood transfusion. Blood donations are not tested for malaria because there is no sensitive blood test available for malaria.
Malaria transmission can occur through travel and residence in some areas. This exposure can sometimes defer donors from blood donation. If you have traveled and/or resided outside of the U.S. and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed during the screening process with trained collection staff.
If you have traveled or lived in a country with malaria risk, Bloodworks Northwest may require a waiting period before you can donate blood. This is because the disease can be transmitted from a person without symptoms. Potential donors who have visited and stayed overnight in a malaria risk area are deferred from giving blood for 3 months from the date of that stay. Potential donors who have lived in a malaria risk area are deferred for three years from the last date of residence.
Learn more about Community Day activities on the Campus-Wide Events SharePoint page.
Last Updated January 30, 2023