Common Reasons for Deferral

Our staff will talk with you about your health and travel experiences to determine if you are eligible to donate. Below are some reasons why you would not be able to donate.

You may not donate blood if you:

• have a history of viral hepatitis at age 11 or older
• are recovering from an infections illness
• are in a high-risk group, such as those with AIDS
• recently had major surgery
• spent three months or more (cumulative) in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Gibraltar or the Falkland Islands) from 1980 through 1996
• spent five years or more (cumulative) in Europe since 1980
• served more than six months at a military base in certain European countries between 1980 and 1996

To learn more or to become a blood donor, call (732) 235-8100, ext. 221 or 248. If you are unable to donate blood, and would still like to help, please call us to talk about how you can get involved.