Can I donate Blood or Plasma?

Question

I was born outside the US, on an American Military Base can i give blood or plasma. I was told i couldnt cause i have been outside the country.

Answer 1

I have been giving blood and plasma for years. The United Blood Services has the question about travel outside the U.S. in order to prevent infection diseases including eating tainted beef (Mad Cow disease, bovine brain spongiform,etc), malaria, etc.
My opinion is be honest but do not tell the complete truth. There is an extremely small chance you were exposed to any "local" infection, especially if you interacted with primary American Military families.
I personally say donate blood or plasma if you feel healthy. There is almost always a demand for blood or plasma

Answer 2

American blood associations do not allow an indvidual born outside of the country or who has traveled outside of certain areas to donate. They do this because they do not want foriegn pathogens infecting an unhealthy person. Just because you feel fine does not mean that you are disease free. Diseases like mad cow may take many many years before any symptoms show up.

Answer 3

I lived in Africa for a few years, and I couldn't donate anything. Some BS about not being able to detect latent versions of HIV and such. Although I bet I was healthier than 99% of the people I saw there...

I'm guessing they will stay on the safe side and say no.

Answer 4

I have never heard of that before. You should be able to donate, as long as you dont have certain diseases (AIDS, HIV, Hep, etc...). Also, as long as you are not anemic as well. The blood will be tested before it is distributed to hospitals, etc...

Answer 5

well the is a period of time u have to wait but u can give but just not for a certain period of time