Medical Oncologist
Blood counts
Who can donate blood
Broadly, a healthy adult between eighteen and sixty-five, above the minimum weight, with an acceptable haemoglobin, no recent fever or infection, and enough time since their last donation. Check these on the phone before anyone travels, because families reliably lose two or three donors to a rejection at the counter.
NG
Medically reviewed by Dr. Naresh GunduConsultant Medical Oncologist · MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology, AIIMS) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
17+specialists on panel
15,000+patients treated
35+centres across Telangana & AP
4.8★ / 800+Google rating
The short answer
Who is eligible to donate blood?
Broadly, a healthy adult between eighteen and sixty-five, above the minimum weight, with an acceptable haemoglobin, no fever or infection in the recent past, and enough time since their last donation. The blood bank makes the final decision after a short check.
Check these on the phone before anyone travels. Families reliably lose two or three donors to a rejection at the counter, each of whom has taken a day off work, and that loss is entirely avoidable with a five-minute conversation.
The donor's group usually does not need to match
For replacement donation the donor is putting a unit back into stock rather than giving directly to the patient. Confirm it with your bank, but in most cases any eligible donor of any group counts, so do not turn willing people away.
The bank's word is final
Nothing here overrides the screening at the counter. Local rules differ, the haemoglobin is measured on the day, and the medical officer may defer someone for a reason not listed here. Take the list as a guide for phoning round, not as a ruling.
Tell donors to eat properly and drink plenty of water before coming. A low reading from dehydration is a common rejection.The usual criteria
What the blood bank checks
- Age
- Generally eighteen to sixty-five. A first-time donor at the upper end may be assessed more carefully. Anyone under eighteen cannot donate, whatever their build.
- Weight
- There is a minimum, and it is one of the commonest reasons a willing relative is turned away. Ask the bank for their figure before sending somebody slight.
- Haemoglobin
- Measured on the day with a finger prick. It must be above the bank's threshold, and this is where donors who have not eaten or are dehydrated fail. Women are deferred for this more often than men.
- Time since last donation
- A required gap applies, and it is longer for whole blood than for platelets. This is for the donor's own safety and is not negotiable, which is why a list of several people matters.
- Recent illness and medicines
- Fever, cough, cold, loose motions, a recent course of antibiotics or any active infection means waiting. Ongoing medicines are assessed individually, so tell the bank rather than guessing.
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Checked on the day. Well-controlled blood pressure on medication is often acceptable; a reading far outside the range on the day is not.
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistWho should not donate
The usual reasons someone is turned away
Screening on the phone against these saves the most wasted journeys.
Recent illness or infection
Fever, cough, cold, loose motions, a recent course of antibiotics, dengue, malaria, typhoid, jaundice or COVID in the recent past. Ask when they were last unwell and how long the bank requires afterwards.
Also ask about
- Any vaccination in recent weeks
- Any dental work or surgery recently
Certain long-term conditions
Hepatitis B or C, HIV, heart disease, epilepsy, cancer, kidney disease, and insulin-treated diabetes are generally disqualifying. Well-controlled blood pressure or thyroid conditions frequently are not.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnant women, women who have recently given birth and those breastfeeding are deferred. Women who are having heavy periods or are anaemic are also commonly deferred on the haemoglobin check.
Worth knowing
- Deferral is temporary, not permanent
- Ask when they could donate instead
Recent tattoos, piercings or procedures
A waiting period applies after tattooing, piercing, major dental work and surgery. So does recent alcohol. Ask the specific interval, since banks differ on these.
Before they travel
What to ask a donor on the phone
- Are you between eighteen and sixty-five?
- Roughly what do you weigh?
- Have you had fever, cough, cold or loose motions recently?
- Have you taken antibiotics in the past few weeks?
- When did you last donate blood or platelets?
- Do you take any regular medicines, and for what?
- Any hepatitis, HIV, heart, kidney or epilepsy history?
- Any tattoo, piercing, dental work or surgery recently?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Can you eat a proper meal and drink water before coming?
- Can you bring photo identification with you?
Leave a number, we will call you
One field. No form to fill in, and no charge for the call.
Being straight with you
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot give you your blood bank's exact rules. The minimum weight, the haemoglobin threshold, the interval between donations and the waiting periods after illness all vary between banks, and between government and private ones. Ask yours for their criteria in writing.
It also cannot decide eligibility for anyone. The screening at the counter is the decision, made by a medical officer with a measured haemoglobin and a proper history. Someone who seems obviously fit may still be deferred, and that is not a mistake.
A deferral is usually temporary
Most people turned away can donate later. Ask specifically when they would be eligible and note it against their name, because a course of treatment may need donors again in a few weeks.
What to do next
Ask your blood bank for their criteria and timings in writing. Build a written list of ten willing people with phone numbers. Run through the phone questions before anybody travels. Tell donors to eat and drink well beforehand and to carry photo identification.
Commonly believed
Four beliefs that stop people donating
"Donating will leave me weak for weeks."
A healthy adult replaces the fluid within about a day and the cells over the following weeks, and most people resume normal activity the same day. Eating properly and drinking water before and after is the whole of the aftercare.
"Only a matching blood group can help."
For replacement donation the donor is putting a unit back into stock, so the group generally does not need to match the patient's. Confirm with your bank, but this belief turns away more willing donors than any other.
"I take a tablet for blood pressure, so I cannot donate."
Well-controlled blood pressure on medication is frequently acceptable, and so are several other stable conditions. Let the blood bank decide rather than ruling yourself out, and tell them exactly what you take.
"Being turned away once means I can never donate."
Most deferrals are temporary: a recent illness, a course of antibiotics, a low reading on the day. Ask when you would be eligible instead, and note the date, because donors are often needed again weeks later.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about donor eligibility
Does the donor's blood group have to match the patient's?
Usually not for replacement donation, because the donor is replacing stock rather than giving directly to the patient. Confirm with your own blood bank, and do not turn away willing donors of other groups.
What is the commonest reason someone is rejected?
A low haemoglobin reading on the day, often because the donor has not eaten or is dehydrated, followed by weight and a recent illness. Tell donors to eat a proper meal and drink water before coming.
Can women donate?
Yes, subject to the same criteria. Women are deferred on the haemoglobin check more often, and pregnancy, recent childbirth and breastfeeding are temporary reasons not to. Heavy periods also commonly cause deferral.
How long must someone wait after a fever or antibiotics?
A defined interval applies and it differs between banks and between illnesses. Ask your blood bank for the specific waiting periods, especially after dengue, typhoid, malaria or jaundice.
Can a diabetic donate?
Someone on tablets with good control is often accepted, while insulin treatment generally is not. Do not rule yourself out; tell the blood bank exactly what you take and let them decide on the day.
How long does donating take?
Usually under an hour including registration, screening and a short rest afterwards. The donation itself is a small part of that. Platelet donation on a machine takes considerably longer and needs more notice.
What should a donor bring?
Photo identification, and the patient's name and hospital registration number so the donation is credited correctly. Ask the blood bank what form of identification they accept and what their timings are.
Can a family member of the patient donate?
Yes, if they meet the criteria, and this is the usual arrangement. The exception is that directed donation from close relatives into the patient is sometimes discouraged, which your haematologist can explain for your situation.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
Want a specific doctor for your case? Mention them when booking.
Book Free ConsultationBook an appointment with our specialist
Share your name and number — we'll call you back within 30 minutes to schedule your consultation.
Sources
- Cancer Research UK — Blood transfusions
- Macmillan Cancer Support — Blood transfusions
- National Cancer Institute — Blood Transfusion in Cancer Care
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Talk to us
Arranging donors for someone on chemotherapy?
Tell us what has been found so far and we will help you reach the right specialist. One helpline serves every CION centre.