| Definitions | First Time Donor
Is an individual who has not previously donated. It is also a person who has previously attended but, for whatever reasons, did not give a full donation (e.g. deferred because of selection guidelines, failed screen test, failed venepuncture, part bag etc).
Regular Donor
Is a donor who has been medically assessed at a donor session in the last 24 months. For component donors this must include mandatory infection screening and, for all donors over the age of 72 years, this must also include giving a full donation.
Returning Donor
Is a donor who has not attended a donation session or been medically assessed within the last 24 months, but who has previously given a full donation.
Full Donation
An amount above the minimum required volume has been collected. |
| Additional Information | The lower age limit takes account of national laws on age of consent.
Upper age limits for blood and component donation have traditionally been set to protect the donor's safety. There is however little evidence to support this. Donor haemovigilance data show a decreased incidence of adverse events in older donors compared to younger donors, although there is an increase in local complications of donating (i.e. bruising and rebleeds). Donor adverse event monitoring will continue to inform the need for any modification to this guidance.
To donate after their 72nd birthday a donor must remain in good health and have given at least one full donation in the previous 24 months. To continue donating they must give no less than one full donation every 24 months.
When appropriate, donors may be accepted on their birthday. |