Daily Tips

Having diabetes does not automatically exclude you from donating blood. The American Red Cross states that people with diabetes may donate blood if they meet the following guidelines:

• They have not had an initial dosage of insulin or change of insulin dose in at least two weeks.
• They have not received an injection of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom since 1980.
• Oral medications for type 2 diabetes don’t disqualify you from blood donation eligibility. It is suggested that people with diabetes wait 8 weeks (or 56 days) between whole blood donations. Other blood donation eligibility guidelines may apply, depending on your medical history.