Jen,

I had been donating blood for almost 40 years when I found out that I could no longer give. I was told about the 5 year waiting period after showing up for a blood drive late last year. I had been told on the phone, by an uninformed Red Cross Worker, that I could give as long as I had no open sores.

Fortunately, the nurse at the drive knew better and called their physician to check things out. I was told that no matter what type of cancer you had, the waiting period is 5 years. Squamous cell is not an exception.

As far as the future is concerned for me, I'll be 64 by the time my waiting period is over and I pray that I will still be cancer free and
not ineligble to give for other reasons. I don't know the age limit for giving.

My feeling is that if the Red Cross is willing to take my blood after 5 years and they feel confident that it will not put the recipient at risk, I will give.

Jerry