Platelet Donor Requirements

NI Blood Transfusion Service

Donors can donate once they have reached their 18th birthday. 1st time donors can donate up to their sixty-sixth birthday. You must have donated blood at least once before.

Weight 

  • Donors should weigh at least 70kg (over 11 stone).
  • Have good veins.

Blood Count

  • Donors need to have an adequate haemoglobin (blood count) to donate.
  • Haemoglobin levels have been set at 125 g/l for females and 135 g/l for males.
  • Donors will have their blood count checked each time they come to donate. We do this by taking a tiny drop of blood from the fingertip.

How often can I donate platelets?

All Platelet donors can donate every 4 weeks.