Donating blood and plasma

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) allows athletes to donate whole blood or plasma (plasmapheresis) for humanitarian or other personal reasons. 

Making a donation

You can only donate at registered or accredited collection centres, such as Lifeblood donor centres.

It’s important you keep a record from Lifeblood confirming the date, type and volume of your donation. We may need to see the record for anti-doping agency queries.

Note: you won’t need a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to donate blood or plasma.

Effects of donating 

Blood and plasma donation may change blood parameters and affect your Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). You may need to explain these changes, especially if you’re in a Registered Testing Pool. 

Donating blood

Blood donations can affect how much oxygen your body can absorb. This is known as your maximal oxygen intake or VO2 max. Donating blood can also affect time trial performances. 

Both your maximal oxygen intake and time trial performances return to normal in around 14 days.

Blood donation can also affect your haemoglobin levels by around 8%. Haemoglobin carries oxygen around your body. But those levels should return to normal in around 28 days.

Donating plasma

Plasma donation uses a plasmapheresis machine. It draws blood from your arm, separates the plasma from the red blood cells and then returns the red blood cells back to your body. At the end it infuses 500ml of saline to replace your blood volume lost during donation.

Plasma donation may temporarily affect performance and cause exhaustion. Avoid donating during competitive periods or seasons. Consider donating during the off-season or breaks from competition.

After donating

Remember to take care of yourself after donating. You should avoid strenuous exercise and overheating for 24 hours after donating.

If you are tested in the 7 days after donating, you should declare the donation on the Doping Control Form.