I've got a rather odd question that I've been mulling over for awhile. After undergoing cancer treatment with radiation and chemotherapy, are we then excluded from donating blood because of it?

Of course, I realize this is probably the least of things we need to worry about, but last week a blood donation letter arrived at my house and it made me wonder if for the rest of my life I would be kicked out of the local blood drives because I had chemo and radiation.

Not only blood donation, but as prior cancer patients are we unable to be organ donors as well?

Hoping one of you has the answers. It's not that I'm upset by being excluded, just curious.

Jen

Jen, I am mad as a wet hen that the Red Cross, for which I have been a donor for years and years and years, will NEVER take my blood again. Get cancer? You become an untouchable to them forever.

Have no idea about organ donation. My driver's license indicates that I am to be parted out, and I figure I will just let others worry about that when the time comes.

When Rod went to get a new license, he was told he could no longer be a donor.

I was also told that I couldn't be a blood donor. One of my son's friends, 16 years old, is fighting cancer. He is in constant need of blood transfusions. I asked about donating blood and was told that I could not.

I'm also an organ donor. I never put much thought into that aspect of it until I read Joanna's post.

John

I kinda figured that & didn't sign up. Not only am I all post cancer but I'm Hypothyroid to boot. I'd hate to make some ill kid more sick on my blood.

You should NOT be ineligible to donate forever. I think the usual period is 5 years (at least that was what I was told). I have given blood to the Red Cross in recent years -- after full disclosure of my medical history. However, the last time I tried to give, I was bounced because I didn't have quite enough iron in my blood -- they said it wasn't truly anemia, but it didn't meet the minimum amount they said they have to have. I'll keep trying, though...

Cathy

You all may wish to inquire again. I was called to be reminded that it was time to donate a week or so after I began my treatment. Upon saying that I guessed I would never be allowed to donate again, I was told that I could, after being "clean" for 5 years.

Here is the actual information, direct from the Red Cross website:

" Cancer
Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin

Good information...We are tainted, indeed. My blood probably glows in the dark.
Darrell

That is encouraging that they don't restrict you forever. I have always had a problem with giving blood anyway because of the iron thing (I'm usually not quite high enough although not anemic--that seems to be my natural state), so I don't know why it bothers me so much that now that I've had cancer I can't give but it does. I think it is that idea of being "tainted" actually.

Hot diggity! Thank you Cathy and Bill. The folks who run the drives in my town are not necessarily the cream of the crop, so in another year I will print out the info from the web site, get a note from the doc, and roll up my sleeve. The motive in donating was never entirely altruistic, but in part the competition between me and other donors as to who could give a pint in the least time. My record was 4:56 before I was banned. I am easily amused (grin).