| Question |
Answer |
| What about COVID-19? |
- If you recently had Corona, you must wait 7 days after recovery before giving blood.
- If you are vaccinated and were exposed to a verified patient, you must have a negative result on a home test 72 hours after exposure.
- If you are not vaccinated and were exposed to a verified patient, you must have a negative result on a home test 5 days after exposure.
|
| I'm visiting from outside Israel.
Can I come donate at the Blood Drive? |
You certainly can! If you don't have
any restrictions (read through the entire FAQ list on this page) and
haven't donated within the last three months, we'll be happy to see you
there. Don't forget your passport as your means of identification! |
| May people from the United Kingdom, or who lived there, give blood?
|
Yes Yes Yes!!!! There was previously a restriction by the Health Ministry, but as of January 15, 2023, people who lived in the United Kingdom are absolutely welcome to donate blood in Israel! |
| My friend is sick and in the
hospital. Can I allocate my donation for my friend? |
On the form, indicate that your
donation is to go to your friend. The MDA staff or a Blood Drive committee
member can help you, if you need. For more information, see the Blood Insurance
page. |
| What is the youngest age that someone can
donate? |
You can donate if you're 17 (please have your parents print out and sign Page 2 from this form:https://www.mdais.org/media/3205/mda-044-7905.pdf or 18 (without a parent's note). Bring a Teudat
Zehut, driver's license, or passport. You must weigh more than 50
kilograms (110 pounds), be in good health, and pass the hemoglobin/blood
pressure test...just like everyone else! |
| What is the oldest age that someone can
donate? |
You can donate until age 65. However,
if you've donated in Israel before and you bring a doctor's note
indicating that you are in good health, you can donate until age 70. |
| What about hepatitis? |
If you had hepatitis more than 5 years
ago, you are allowed to give. |
| What about diabetes? |
If you take pills to control the
diabetes, you can probably give. Check with the MDA staff at the drive or
WhatsApp 054-569-1127 during the drive and ask to speak to a MDA
representative. If you take insulin shots, you may not give. |
| If I recently had the flu, how long
afterwards can I give blood? |
First of all, it is very important that
you feel well on the day of the drive. MDA wants blood from healthy people
only. If you're not healthy, you shouldn't give blood as you could be at
risk for further complications. If you still have
sniffles/fever/aches/cough, you may not give. If you took antibiotics, you
should have finished your prescription at least three days before the
drive. |
| I have a business trip soon. Can I
fly after I give blood? |
If you have a scheduled flight, please
note that you're not allowed to fly within 48 hours after giving
blood. |
| What if I had a dentist appointment
recently? |
If you had dental work within the last
three days, you may not be allowed to donate, depending on what you had
done. (Check with the MDA staff regarding the exact restriction.) |
| (Women only) What if I have my
period - can I donate? |
A menstruating woman may donate blood,
if her iron levels are ok. They'll check this at the drive. They DO NOT
ask if you have your period! |
| What about medications? |
People who take high-blood pressure
medicine may give blood, unless it is a beta-blocker. The MDA staff brings
laptops to reference just about every medication you can imagine. You can
check your specific medication with them. |
| What about iron supplements? |
If you take an iron supplement for low
iron, you cannot donate blood. If you've stopped taking it for at least
three months, you may donate. |
| If I gave blood at the last Greater
Beit Shemesh blood drive, can I give now? |
Yes you can! In Israel, you are allowed
to donate every 90 days. We purposely schedule the drives far enough apart
so that people can donate at each drive (if you haven't donated
since)!!! |
| How long after a woman gives birth
can she donate blood? |
A woman can donate blood six months
after childbirth - even if she is still nursing (as long as she passes the
hemoglobin/blood pressure tests). |
| What if I've had cancer in the past
but I'm B"H healthy now? |
Unfortunately, if you've ever had
cancer, no matter how much time has past, MDA will not take your
blood. |
| I always fail the hemoglobin test
at the drive. Can I bring a blood test with me to prove that my hemoglobin
is ok? |
MDA staff accepts blood test results
within a week of the drive. If your recent (within a week) blood test
includes hemoglobin (and the hemoglobin was over 12.0 (for women) or 13.0
(for men)), bring the results to the drive and they will use them instead
of testing you again. |
