You were deferred. Here is your comeback plan.
Quick answerBeing deferred does not mean you failed. Many deferrals are temporary. We can help you understand what to ask, when to try again, and how to keep helping in the meantime.
What was the reason?
Deferred for low iron
Low iron is one of the most common reasons people are asked to wait, and it is almost always temporary. With a little time and some iron-rich eating, most donors come back.
Deferred for illness
Being turned away because you were unwell is a short pause. Once you have recovered and feel well, you can usually donate again.
Deferred for travel
Some destinations carry a temporary waiting period, most often travel to a malaria-risk area. The pause ends on a known date, so it is easy to plan around.
Deferred for a medication
Some medications carry a waiting period, while others rule out donation only while you take them. Many are not a problem at all. The timing depends on the specific medication.
Deferred for a tattoo or piercing
A recent tattoo or piercing can mean a short wait, depending on where you had it done. In many places there is no wait at all.
Deferred for weight or age
Minimum weight and age requirements keep donation safe. Weight can change over time, and younger donors may simply need to wait until they meet the requirement.
Deferred for pregnancy
You cannot donate during pregnancy, and there is a short wait afterward so your body can recover. This pause has a clear end.
Told you cannot donate right now
Some deferrals last longer, and a few are permanent. That does not mean you are out of options. There are real, meaningful ways to help patients who need blood.
Cannot donate at all right now?
If you cannot give blood right now, you can still make a real difference. Recruiting and supporting other donors is one of the most powerful things anyone can do for the blood supply.
See ways to help without donatingFind a place to donate
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Our no-monetization pledge
BloodBanker does not use affiliate links, paid rankings, or ads on mission pages. We do not sell donor health information. We link to official donation organizations so people can donate safely and locally.
Read the full pledgeSources and review
The guidance on this page reflects published criteria from these organizations. Eligibility and procedures vary by center and country, so confirm specifics with your donation center.
- American Red Cross
- AABB (Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Blood Donation
- Canadian Blood Services
- Last reviewed:
- Next review due:
- Reviewed by:
- Reviewed against American Red Cross, AABB, and U.S. FDA donor guidance
- Confidence:
- High confidence