Blood Donor Criteria Changes

The Blood Center has recently changed its deferral criteria regarding tattoos and malaria risk.

Tattoos:
The deferral criteria for tattoos has changed from 1 year to 1 month only if applied at a licensed Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, or Texas tattoo parlor.

If your tattoo was not applied at a licensed Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, or Texas tattoo parlor, you must wait 1 year from the date of your tattoo to donate.

Tattoos applied by a Dermatologist (M.D.) as permanent makeup, (eyeliner, lipcolor, etc.) are acceptable - no waiting period.

Note: You still must wait one year to donate after body piercing or branding.

Mexico:
No malaria risk exists along the United States – Mexico border.  No malaria risk exists in the major resorts, cruise ship ports, and surrounding areas along the Pacific and Gulf coasts.

Costa Maya, Cozumel, Calica, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen, or areas surrounding these cities are no longer malaria risk areas.  Individuals who have traveled to these areas are eligible to donate.

If you were deferred from donating blood for these reasons within the past year, you may be eligible to donate.  However, you need to fill out a Request For Further Information form and submit it to The Blood Center in order for your deferral to be reversed.