Center raises donor weight requirement

Central Jersey Blood Center, Shrewsbury, has announced its minimum weight requirements for any blood donations has been increased to 120 pounds. Donor eligibility rules are intended to protect the health and safety of the donor as well as the patient receiving a transfusion.

The amount of whole blood that can be drawn from a donor directly correlates to the weight of the donor. Requirements for a pint of whole blood required a donor to weigh 110 pounds for a 50-kilogram collection bag or blood pack unit.

Due to a change in the type of blood packing units needed to draw blood and requirements for blood loss minimums, the minimum volume must be adjusted form a 50- to a 55-kilogram bag, which requires the minimum weight of a donor to be 120 pounds.

For more information, call the center at (732) 842-5750.