Qatar Living Volunteers

Woman Gets Two Years for Aiding Nigerian Internet Check Scam (PC World)

SPEED — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:24:38 +0300

Posted on Wed Jun 25, 2008 8:30PM EDT
- A Washington woman was sentenced on Wednesday to two years in prison and five years of supervised release for her role in an Internet counterfeit check scheme.

Edna Fiedler pleaded guilty in March to attempting to defraud U.S. citizens in a scheme known as a Nigerian check scam.

Fiedler helped her accomplices in Nigeria send fake checks to people who had agreed to cash the checks on behalf of the sender, keeping some of the proceeds and sending the rest back.

The Nigerians found people willing to cash the fake checks via e-mail. They would send their names as well as fake documents that looked like Wal-Mart money orders, Bank of America checks, U.S. Postal Service checks and American Express traveler's checks to Fiedler. They told her how to fill out the checks and where to send them.

The recipients most likely thought they were helping out someone who needed a person in the U.S. to cash a check for them, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. They were able to get the money by cashing the checks, and sent most of it to either Fiedler or her Nigerian accomplices. However, once the checks were discovered to be fake, the people who cashed them were responsible for the full amount.

All told, Fiedler sent out US$609,000 worth of phony checks and money orders. When U.S. Secret Service agents investigating the case searched Fiedler's house, they found additional fake checks worth more than $1.1 million that she was preparing to send out.

At a recent conference in Seattle, a representative from the U.S. Postal Service and Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna described ways they're working to shut down these kinds of scams, particularly because they often involve people who don't realize that they're taking part in illegal activities.

The U.S. Postal Service recently sent 15 postal investigators to Lagos, Nigeria, and during a three-month period there, they helped intercept counterfeit checks, lottery tickets and eBay overpayment schemes with a face value of $2.1 billion, Chris Siouris, a cyber investigator at the U.S. Postal Inspector, said at the recent conference. Siouris, McKenna and others are pushing for ways to better educate Internet users so that people don't unwittingly help out in these kinds of e-mail scams.

Source: http://tech.yahoo.co...

Speed Comments:
I remember one of QL member who posted a thread saying that he received a cheque from outside Qatar and later when he approached the bank, he found that it is a fake cheque ? but luckily he managed to leave the bank without any trouble, otherwise as per law he could have face criminal charges !!!!

This is for the awareness for QL members and all the guest. Also please inform others not to get trapped in such scams.

Qatar Living Volunteers

Thank you from SLCC & Srilankan Fire Viticms

SPEED — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:12:23 +0300

As you all are aware about the Sad incident which happened with our Srilankan brothers last Wednesday in which 5 of their roommates were burnt to dead and 2 seriously injured and rest 35 people were left homeless since their 4 bedroom flat which became uninhabited due to fire.
2 of the injured were admitted in ICU in Hamad Hospital , one of them is still in critical condition and doctors are trying their level best to save his life.

http://www.qatarlivi...

Yesterday, on behalf of (QLVG) I, went to their temporary accommodation in Abu Hamour and handed over the donations collected from QLer.
Still lot of kind hearted QL members are sending me PMs and Emails for the donations to be collected from them. Please note that we are done with the donation and only help they need is a ACCOMMODATION.

If anyone of you who deals in Real Estate or knows any owner of the Flat or Villa (old/ new) who can rent 3 or 4 bedrooms flat/ villa to these low income 35 Stranded people on URGENT basis would be a great help.

If you know any please post contact details of the person/ real estate and we will be in touch with them.
Also note due to their situation we request you to avoid any commission or high rent since their budget is not more the QR. 10,000/- since all of them are very low income people working as drivers/ office boys and labourers.

Sri Lankan Co-ordinating Committee (SLCC) officials and all the fire victims has Thanked to all of you for your support and help extended to their needy people.

God Bless you All.

http://www.gulf-time...

Qatar Living Volunteers

URGENT APPEAL - For Fire Victims

SPEED — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:52:25 +0300

Five burnt to death in house blaze
Published: Friday, 20 June, 2008, 12:59 AM Doha Time
By Arvind Nair

FIVE Sri Lankan men were charred to death on Wednesday night as they slept in their room in a downtown apartment.
Two of their friends have been admitted to Hamad Hospital with serious burn injuries. Two others jumped to safety from their second storey apartment.
Nine of them were sleeping in one room as the fire engulfed it, the charge d’affaires at the Sri Lankan embassy, A Dharmakulasingham, said.
The police have identified the dead as Thu[this post has broken our guidelines by using bad language - you will be removed from QL if this continues]ha Ananda Abeywickrama (from Ambilipitiya), Roshan Thu[this post has broken our guidelines by using bad language - you will be removed from QL if this continues]ha Kumara (Akurassa), Nimal (Chilaw), Amila Madusanka (Bulathsinhala) and Nalinda Kumara (Thambuthegama).
They all belonged to the 25-30 age group, the embassy official said.
The two seriously injured Sri Lankans have been admitted to the emergency unit of the Hamad Hospital. They are Dulan Salika Ratnasiri (from Hatton) and Vijitha Aluthgedera (Ginigathhena). Dulan is still in a critical condition while Vijitha is said to be out of danger.
Those who escaped the inferno at building No. 22, Street No. 4, at Al Maymoon Street in Doha are Nishantha Mangalajeews (from Adhawila, Banagala, Opatha), and Salitha Prasad, (Àthnagoda, Beligala, Kegalle).
The charge d’affaires told Gulf Times that officials of the mission were in constant touch with the authorities and had visited the injured at the hospital.
Bodies of the deceased will be flown to Sri Lanka as soon as legal procedures are completed, hopefully by next week, Dharmakulasingham said.
Those in nearby rooms escaped unhurt as the firemen came and doused the blaze. A total of 35 Sri Lankans were living in the four-room apartment.
According to sources, they all worked for different companies.
According to Lenny Cramer, president of the Sri Lankan Co-ordinating Committee, the fire broke out in the ill-fated room around 11.30pm on Wednesday as the occupants slept after a hard day’s toil.
Those who woke up first tried to wake others but failed to do so. The ever increasing smoke in the room probably had put them to permanent sleep, community sources speculated.
Fellow room-mates had no option but to try and save themselves. Two of them managed to do it by jumping out but two others suffered serious burns in the process.
The cause of fire has not yet been established, the charge d’affaires said. However, there were speculations of an electric short-circuit.
Yesterday, the Sri Lankan community, led by the co-ordination committee, rallied to help those affected by the fire. The immediate call was to find accommodation for those who were left homeless by the blaze.
As the community leaders sent out e-mails seeking help, the response has been tremendous, Lenny said. All the basic essentials for the victims, who lost everything to the fire, have been collected. They include foodstuff, bed-sheets, clothing, toothpaste and similar stuff.
By yesterday evening, it was decided that half of the stranded people would be accommodated temporarily at the Sri Lankan school while the other half would be put up in a villa.
This is purely a stop-gap arrangement until a more permanent accommodation for them could be found in a couple of days, Lenny said.
This is the third fire in a week, and the second in the same vicinity. The first in the area, however, did not claim any lives though the entire flat was reduced to cinders.
The other fire, which occurred during lunch-time on Tuesday at the Industrial Area, killed a 38-year-old businessman as he took an afternoon nap in his warehouse.

Source : Gulf-Times.com

Special Thanks to : ritzymac (http://www.qatarlivi...)

Speed Comments:

On behalf of All Qlers we send our sincere condolence to the family of those who died in the blaze .. May their soul rest in peace. We also Pray for the speedy recovery for those who were injured and fighting for their life in HMC.

I humbly request TO ALL QLers and QLVG member to PLEASE come forward and extend your help to our Srilankan Brothers, who are in bad need of our help. They have lost everything they had. They have been provided with some donations but I was told that still they need more help such as new/used Beds/Mattresses/ AC/ small Fridge/ small etc..

We are Planning to visit Hamad Hospital Today to visit the viticm of fire. Anyone willing to join please confirm now.

God Bless You All.

Qatar Living Volunteers

QLVG in World Donor Day with HMC !

SPEED — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:10:51 +0300

First of all Thanks You to all those who supported QL Volunteer Group 'World Blood Donor Day' today in Villaggio.

When I reached HMC Blood Bank, There were already so many people waiting in a que for their turn, and I was surprised to see that most of them were Arab (if am not wrong out of those Arabs most them were Qataris), which shows that Qataris/Arabs do give blood on regular basis.
There were some expatriates also incl myself ;-p

Also i noticed that they were returning few people since they were not fit to donate blood due to underweight, less hemoglobins, may be there were on medicines or due to some unknown disease etc...
The lady who looks like a 'SUPERNURSE' was the one who was testing everyone's blood group/ weight/ temperature/ Blood Pressure etc ....

Anyhow, for me it was a great experience and I feel very relaxed. After donating blood I went shopping with my family and just returned home happily !

They gifted all blood donors with :

1) Certificate of World Donor Day and HMC names/Logos
2) T-shirt and a Cap of WDD and HMC
3) Juices and snacks

May God bless you all !!

Please click below pictures to Enlarge:

Qatar Living Volunteers

It's time to say 'GOOD BYE' ... I have decided to Quit !!!

SPEED — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:29:30 +0300

Yes I have decided to Quit and it's time to say Good bye to my dear ML !!! ;-) now don't ask me what is my Dear ML ;-)

Ok Ok ..... I will tell you guys ... It's my 'Marlbolo Lights' .... I have finally decided to quit Smoking :-)

It was a hard decision but I had to take this for the sake of my family, my children and my life which Allah has given to me as a wonderful Gift.

Also I have decided that the money I used to buy cigarettes or smoke Sheeaha !!! Now I can use that money for some useful purpose specially helping needy people ...

It's easy to quit !! NO Medicine... No Exercise !! One just need to have a strong WILL POWER to quit !!!

Anyone willing to Join my 'NO SMOKING CLUB'?

Qatar Living Volunteers

QAWS Needs Your Help!!

Scarlett — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:45:56 +0300

QAWS is gearing up for another very hot summer, and is in dire need of help acquiring some items. If anyone can donate any of these items to QAWS, you will win the the forever appreciation of all the animals, volunteers and staff!!

Fridge - 2nd hand is fine also
Large shade Canopy
Clothes Drying racks (or if anyone has those heavy duty metal T bar ones, we do a LOT of heavy blankets and towels!)
Room Fans
dish towels
leashes
canned dog food
chairs - outdoor kind
bath towels

PLEASE, if you can donate any of these items, contact me through pm. I will make sure they get to the QAWS shelter. If you need pick up for any large items, that can be arranged also. Thank you in advance for any and all help you can provide for the animals!!!!

Qatar Living Volunteers

URGENT ! Appeal for Myanmar Cyclone

SPEED — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:43:06 +0300

Myanmar receives Qatar relief aid

Published: Sunday, 11 May, 2008, 02:17 AM Doha Time

Aid supplies destined for Myanmar being loaded by Qatari officials

A relief flight by Qatar arrived in the Yangon airport in
Myanmar yesterday as charity officials reported progress in getting
help to the 1mn people left homeless by last week’s cyclone.
Qatar’s assistance, totalling 45 tonnes, included medicines, clothes,
tents, first aid bags, children’s milk. It was received at the airport
by the
chairman of the relief and rescue committee in Myanmar.
More shipments of Qatari assistance are to follow.
The tropical cyclone Nargis, which slammed into the rice-growing
Irrawaddy Delta region in the country’s south on May 3, left 60,000
people dead or missing and as many as 2mn more short of food, water and
supplies.
Myanmar held a referendum on a new constitution yesterday, despite warnings
more people would die unless it focused on delivering emergency aid for
survivors of last week’s cyclone. The military government, deeply
suspicious of the outside world, has refused to let in foreign experts
who specialise in getting aid to disaster victims, and said that only
the government would be allowed to distribute emergency supplies. –
Agencies

Soruce: GulfTimes

Speed Comments:

Since th Cyclone Nargis hit the Myanmar, I was closely monitoring the
news. As reported in other medias, more then 100,00 people are dead or
missing and 2million people are short of food, water and supplies, the
situation is worsing day by day and more people are dying due to lack
of Medicines/ Food & Water/ Shelter etc... They are indesparated
need of these items as soon as possible.

I am in continuous touch with
Qatar Red Crescent Society. Today they confirmed that they are in URGENT need of CASH.
Due to some political reasons they are not able to transport goods to
Burma instead they are collecting Cash and sending money to their Red
Crescent Society office which is nearest to Burma. That office is
purchasing all the goods from there and delivering to the needy people
in Myanmar.

On behalf of QL Volunteer Group, I Appeal to all Qlers to come forward and donate whatever they can.

Please note QL Volunteer Group is not collecting or accepting Cash,
instead I have arranged a meeting point in the Qatar Red Crescent
Society office on the following day:

Sunday, 18th May 2007

Time : 17:00hrs- 19:00hrs

Location: Qatar Red Crescent Society Office ("from Museum R/A which is on the Corniche take right towards Mövenpick Hotel) They are next to Mövenpick hotel.

Contact Person: Mr. Falasi (mobile: 588 4707) or you can reach me on 660 4594 for any inquiry.

Let hope with our small amount of donation we can SAVE someone's
life. Let's spend our weekend entertainment money on Saving a life !!

PS:

Some Qlers mentioned to me that they have some stuff for donations, please note as I mentioned above that QRCS
is not accepting any material for donation. Therefore, I kindly request
you to keep those items with you for few days only, I am looking for
needy families or people in Doha once I come across, I will collect the
same from you and give your donations to them.

Also I am sending this message to all QLVG through emails. Please confirm by reply email or post here.

Thank you. and God Bless You All.

Qatar Living Volunteers

QL Volunteers Group : SPEED

qatari — Sun, 04 May 2008 10:52:13 +0300

The QL Volunteers Group was one of the first groups setup on Qatar Living. Aisha, one of our most prolific members setup the group and arranged for Qlers to give back to those less fortunate in Qatar by volunteering their time and energy:

I’m really excited and happy that we will start a QL group for our volunteers! This is just great. After the QL Blood Donation Camp1, the QL visits for children with special needs, and a couple of charitable projects organized by our dear QL members, we’ll have our own , hopefully growing, group!! Yaaay

SPEED has shown the same enthusiasm, caring and spirit in organising last weeks activities. Many people have nominated SPEED as group owner and I'm glad to announce that he has agreed to take on this task and help QLers give back!

If you have some time and want to get involved, please head over to the QL Volunteers Group and sign up!

Qatar Living Volunteers

whats the latest.

mallrat — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:06:30 +0300

hi everyone in Qatar Living Volunteers?

What are the activities for this month?

I am available for help.

Qatar Living Volunteers

requirements blood donation

jason282pnv — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:25:18 +0300

GENERAL GUIDELINES
To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last 8 weeks (56 days) or a donation of double red cells in the last 16 weeks (111 days). "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.

Other aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count (hemoglobin or hematocrit) are measured.

Making donations for your own use during surgery (autologous blood donation) is considered a medical procedure and the rules for eligibility are less strict than for regular volunteer donations.
Acupuncture
Donors who have undergone acupuncture treatments are acceptable.

Age
You must be at least 17 years old to donate to the general blood supply, or 16 years old if allowed by state law. Learn more about the reasons for a lower age limit. There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities.

Allergy, Stuffy Nose, Itchy Eyes, Dry Cough
Acceptable as long as you feel well, have no fever, and have no problems breathing through your mouth

Antibiotics
A donor with an infection should not donate. The reason for antibiotic use must be evaluated to determine if the donor has a bacterial infection that could be transmissible by blood.

Acceptable after finishing oral antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Acceptable 7 days after an antibiotic injection for an infection. Acceptable if you are taking antibiotics to prevent an infection, for example, following dental procedures or for acne. Antibiotics for acne do not disqualify you from donating. If you have a temperature above 99.5 F, you may not donate.

Asthma
Acceptable as long as you are not having difficulty breathing at the time of donation and you otherwise feel well. Medications for asthma do not disqualify you from donating.

Birth Control
Women taking birth control (pills or injections) are acceptable.

Blood Pressure, High
Acceptable as long as your blood pressure is below 180 systolic (first number) and below 100 diastolic (second number) at the time of donation. Medications for high blood pressure do not disqualify you from donating.

Blood Pressure, Low
Acceptable as long as you feel well when you come to donate. If your blood pressure normally runs low, it may be more difficult for your body to adjust to the volume loss following donation, especially if you are dehydrated. Drinking extra water before and after donation is important.

Blood Transfusion
Wait for 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion from another person in the United States.

You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion since 1980 in the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands). This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation.

You may not donate if you received a blood transfusion in certain countries in Africa since 1977. This requirement is related to concerns about rare strains of HIV that are not consistently detected by all current test methods. Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.

Cancer
Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been at least 5 years since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Some low-risk cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5 year waiting period.

Precancerous conditions of the uterine cervix do not disqualify you from donation if the abnormality has been treated successfully. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Chronic Illnesses
Most chronic illnesses are acceptable as long as you feel well, the condition is under good control, you have an adequate hemoglobin level and your temperature is normal when you come to donate, and you meet all other eligibility requirements.

Bleeding Condition
If you have a history of bleeding problems, you will be asked additional questions. If your blood does not clot normally, you should not donate since you may have excessive bleeding where the needle was placed. For the same reason, if you are taking any "blood thinner" (such as coumadin or heparin) you should not donate. If you are on aspirin, it is OK to donate blood. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 48 hours in order donate platelets by apheresis.

Cold, Flu
Wait if you have a fever or a productive cough (bringing up phlegm)
Wait if you do not feel well on the day of donation.
Wait until you have completed antibiotic treatment for sinus, throat or lung infection.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant or human pituitary growth hormone, you are not eligible to donate. Those who have a blood relative who had Creutzfeld-Jacob disease are also not eligible to donate. Learn more about CJD.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Variant (vCJD); "Mad Cow Disease"
See under Travel Outside of U.S. Learn more about vCJD and blood donation.

Dental Procedures and Oral Surgery
Acceptable after dental procedures as long as there is no infection present. Wait until finishing antibiotics for a dental infection. Wait for 3 days after having oral surgery.

Insulin
Those who since 1980, received an injection of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle from the United Kingdom are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant CJD, or 'mad cow' disease. Learn more about variant CJD and blood donation.

Donation Intervals
Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations.
Wait at least 3 days between plateletpheresis donations.
Wait at least 16 weeks between double red cell (automated) donations.

Heart Disease
In general , acceptable as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated, have no current (within the last 6 months) heart related symptoms such as chest pain and have no limitations or restrictions on your normal daily activities.
Wait at least 6 months following an episode of angina.
Wait at least 6 months following a heart attack.
Wait at least 6 months after bypass surgery or angioplasty.
If you have a pacemaker, you may donate as long as your pulse is between 50 and 100 beats per minute with no more than a small number of irregular beats, and you meet the other heart disease criteria. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Heart Murmur, Heart Valve Disorder
Acceptable if you have a heart murmur as long as you have been medically evaluated and treated and have not had symptoms in the last 6 months, and have no restrictions on your normal daily activities.

Hemochromatosis (Hereditary)
American Red Cross does not accept individuals with hemochromatosis as blood donors for other persons at this time. However, a pilot program for hemochromatosis donors has been completed and is being evaluated for possible system wide implementation.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count
Acceptable if you have a hemoglobin at or above 12.5 g/dL.
Acceptable if you have a hematocrit at or above 38%.

Hepatitis, Jaundice
If you had hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) caused by a virus, or unexplained jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin), since age 11, you are not eligible to donate blood. This includes those who had hepatitis with Cytomegalovirus (CMV), or Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), the virus that causes Mononucleosis.

Acceptable if you had jaundice or hepatitis caused by something other than a viral infection, for example: medications, Gilbert's disease, bile duct obstruction, alcohol, gallstones or trauma to the liver. If you ever tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C , at any age, you are not eligible to donate, even if you were never sick or jaundiced from the infection.

Hepatitis Exposure
If you live with or have had sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis, you must wait 12 months after the last contact.
Persons who have been detained or incarcerated in a facility (juvenile detention, lockup, jail, or prison) for more than 72 consecutive hours (3 days) are deferred for 12 months from the date of last occurrence. This includes work release programs and weekend incarceration. These persons are at higher risk for exposure to infectious diseases.
Wait 12 months after receiving a blood transfusion (unless it was your own "autologous" blood), non-sterile needle stick/body piercing or exposure to someone else's blood.
Wait 12 months following a human bite, if it broke the skin.

HIV, AIDS
You should not give blood if you have AIDS or have ever had a positive HIV test, or if you have done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV.

You are at risk for getting infected if you:

* have ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or anything not prescribed by your doctor
* are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977
* have ever taken money, drugs or other payment for sex since 1977
* have had sexual contact in the past 12 months with anyone described above
* received clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
* were born in, or lived in, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea,Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria, since 1977.
* since 1977, received a blood transfusion or medical treatment with a blood product in any of these countries, or
* had sex with anyone who, since 1977, was born in or lived in any of these countries. Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.

You should not give blood if you have any of the following conditions that can be signs or symptoms of HIV/AIDS

* unexplained weight loss (10 pounds or more in less than 2 months)
* night sweats
* blue or purple spots in your mouth or skin
* white spots or unusual sores in your mouth
* lumps in your neck, armpits, or groin, lasting longer than one month
* diarrhea that won’t go away
* cough that won’t go away and shortness of breath, or
* fever higher than 100.5 F lasting more than 10 days.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate.

Immunization, Vaccination
Acceptable if you were vaccinated for influenza, tetanus or meningitis, providing you are symptom-free and fever-free.
Acceptable if you received an HPV Vaccine (example, Gardasil).
Wait 4 weeks after immunizations for German Measles (Rubella), MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella), Chicken Pox and Shingles.
Wait 2 weeks after immunizations for Red Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Polio (by mouth), and Yellow Fever vaccine.
Wait 7 days after immunization for Hepatitis B as long as you are not given the immunization for exposure to hepatitis B.

* Smallpox vaccination and did not develop complications
Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having a smallpox vaccination as long as you have had no complications. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
* Smallpox vaccination and developed complications
Wait 14 days after all vaccine complications have resolved or 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of having had the smallpox vaccination whichever is the longer period of time. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions beyond the vaccination site or general illness related to the vaccination.
* Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the smallpox vaccine in the last eight weeks and you did not develop any skin lesions or other symptoms.
Eligible to donate.
* Smallpox vaccination – close contact with someone who has had the vaccine in the last eight weeks and you have since a developed skin lesions or symptoms.
Wait 8 weeks (56 days) from the date of the first skin lesion or sore. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation. Complications may include skin reactions or general illness related to the exposure.

Infections
If you have a fever or an active infection, wait until the infection has resolved completely before donating blood.

Wait until finished taking antibiotics for an infection (bacterial or viral). Wait until 7 days after an antibiotic injection for an infection.

Those who have had infections with Chagas Disease or babesiosis are not eligible to donate.

See also Antibiotics, Hepatitis, HIV, Syphilis/Gonorrhea, and Tuberculosis.

Intravenous Drug Use
Those who have ever used IV drugs that were not prescribed by a physician are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis and HIV. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Malaria
Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 12 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living in a country or countries where malaria is found. Learn more about malaria and blood donation.

Medications
In almost all cases, medications will not disqualify you as a blood donor. Your eligibility will be based on the reason that the medication was prescribed. As long as the condition is under control and you are healthy, blood donation is usually permitted.

Over-the-counter oral homeopathic medications, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements are acceptable.

There are a handful of drugs that are of special significance in blood donation. Persons on these drugs have waiting periods following their last dose before they can donate blood:

* Accutane, Amnesteem, Claravis or Sotret (isoretinoin), Proscar (finasteride), and Propecia (finasteride) - wait 1 month from the last dose.
* Avodart (dutasteride) - wait 6 months from the last dose.
* Aspirin, no waiting period for donating blood. However you must wait 48 hours after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis.
* Clopidogrel - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
* Coumadin (warfarin) , heparin or other prescription blood thinners- you should not donate since your blood will not clot normally. If your doctor discontinues your treatment with blood thinners, wait 7 days before returning to donate.
* Hepatitis B Immune Globulin – given for exposure to hepatitis, wait 12 months after exposure to hepatitis.
* Human pituitary-derived growth hormone at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
* Plavix - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
* Soriatane (acitretin) - wait 3 years.
* Tegison (etretinate) at any time - you are not eligible to donate blood.
* Ticlid - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.
* Ticlopidine - wait 7 days after taking this medication before donating platelets by apheresis.

Organ/Tissue Transplants
Wait 12 months after receiving a Kidney transplant or tissue transplant from another person. If you are taking medications to prevent rejection of the kidney or tissue you are not eligible to donate. You are not eligible if you have had any other type of organ transplants regardless of medications to prevent rejection.

If you ever received a dura mater (brain covering) transplant, you are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about the brain disease, Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease (CJD). Learn more about CJD and blood donation.

Piercing (ears, body), Electrolysis
Acceptable as long as the instruments used were sterile or single-use equipment..

Wait 12 months if there is any question whether or not the instruments used were sterile and free of blood contamination. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Pregnancy, Nursing
Persons who are pregnant are not eligible to donate. Wait 6 weeks after giving birth.

Sexually Transmitted Disease
Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Acceptable if it has been more than 12 months since you completed treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Sickle Cell
Acceptable if you have sickle cell trait. Those with sickle cell disease are not eligible to donate.

Skin Disease, Rash, Acne
Acceptable as long as the skin over the vein to be used to collect blood is not affected. If the skin disease has become infected, wait until the infection has cleared before donating. Taking antibiotics to control acne does not disqualify you from donating.

Syphilis/Gonorrhea
Wait 12 months after being treated for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Tattoo
Wait 12 months after a tattoo if the tattoo was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo facilities. This requirement is related to concerns about hepatitis. Learn more about hepatitis and blood donation.

Acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity using sterile needles and ink that is not reused. Only a few states currently regulate tattoo facilities, so most donors with tattoos must wait 12 months after tattoo application before donating blood. You should discuss your particular situation with the health historian at the time of donation.

Tuberculosis
If you have active tuberculosis or are being treated for active tuberculosis you should not donate. Acceptable if you have a positive skin test, but no active tuberculosis, or if you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test only. If you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating.

Travel Outside of U.S., Immigration
Wait 12 months after travel in an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living in a country or countries where malaria is found. Persons who have spent long periods of time in countries where "mad cow disease" is found are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about variant Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (vCJD). Learn more about vCJD and donation. Persons who were born in or who lived in certain countries in Western Africa, or who have had close contact with persons who were born in or who lived in certain West African countries are not eligible to donate. This requirement is related to concerns about HIV Group O. Learn more about HIV Group O, and the specific African countries where it is found.

Venereal Diseases
See also "Sexually Transmitted Disease"
Wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea.

Chlamydia, venereal warts (human papilloma virus), or genital herpes are not a cause for deferral if you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.

Weight
You must weigh at least 110 Lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Blood volume is in proportion to body weight. Donors who weight less than 110Lbs may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood as well as those who weigh more than 110Lbs. There is no upper weight limit as long as your weight is not higher than the weight limit of the donor bed/lounge you are using. You can discuss any upper weight limitations of beds and lounges with your local health historian.