why is there a waiting period to donate blood after cancer treatment

by Fausto Gulgowski 3 min read

Some people who have had cancer are not allowed to donate blood for a certain length of time after treatment. This is done partly to protect the donor, but it may also add an extra margin of safety for the person who receives the blood.

Full Answer

Do you have to wait 5 years to donate blood?

If you have traveled or lived in a malaria-risk country, we may require a waiting period before you can donate blood. Wait 3 years after completing treatment for malaria. Wait 3 months after returning from a trip to an area where malaria is found. Wait 3 years after living more than 5 years in a country or countries where malaria is found.

Can cancer survivors donate blood?

In most cases, donors are eligible to begin giving blood again one year after a cancer-free test result. Certain cancers, including skin cancers, are permanently deferred. Please contact us with your specific cancer type for eligibility information. I have trouble getting my iron levels high enough to donate.

How long should I wait between power red (automated) donations?

Mar 16, 2015 · Those whose cancers were treated with chemotherapy or immunotherapy, or who had leukemia or lymphoma, are not eligible to donate. Some low-risk cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin do not require a 5 …

What happens when you donate blood at the American Red Cross?

Apr 10, 2021 · You must wait at least eight weeks (56 days) between donations of whole blood and 16 weeks (112 days) between Power Red donations. Platelet apheresis donors may give every 7 days up to 24 times per year. Regulations are different for those giving blood for themselves (autologous donors).

image

How long can you donate blood after cancer treatment?

Most cancer survivors can donate blood five years after they end curative treatment, as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria. For organs and tissues, anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age or medical condition. Even individuals with serious illnesses may sometimes be donors. All potential donors are evaluated on an ...

How many people in Canada are waiting for organ transplants?

Currently, there are approximately 4,400 Canadians waiting to receive a life-saving organ or tissue transplant.

Can cancer survivors be living donors?

Generally speaking, cancer survivors are not eligible to be living donors, ...

How old do you have to be to donate blood?

The basic requirements for blood donation state that it is okay for an individual to donate whole blood every 56 days if the following guidelines are met: Being at least 17 years of age (or age 16 with permission from a parent) Being in general good health and feeling well.

How long does it take to get cancer treatment?

You meet the basic criteria above, You had a solid tumor and it has been at least 12 months since the completion of cancer treatment, and you currently are cancer-free (have no evidence of disease or NED ). 1  That said, some centers require five years, and others 10 years after the completion of successful cancer treatment.

Can you donate blood to someone with a tumor?

If you are a survivor of a solid tumor (but not a blood-related cancer like leukemia or lymphoma) you may be able to donate blood to help others. Since eligibility differs by organization as well as location, it may take a little legwork to do so.

How long do you have to wait to donate blood?

Wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood (standard) donations. Wait at least 7 days between platelet (pheresis) donations . Wait at least 16 weeks between Power Red (automated) donations. First-time male donors may be eligible to donate blood if they have not had sex with another man in more than 3 months.

How long after blood transfusion can you donate?

Blood Transfusion. Wait for 3 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 France, Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar or Falkland Islands.

What is the age limit for blood donation?

There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you are well with no restrictions or limitations to your activities. In-Depth Discussion of Age and Blood Donation. Those younger than age 17 are almost always legal minors (not yet of the age of majority) who cannot give consent by themselves to donate blood.

How long after taking aspirin can you donate blood?

Aspirin. Aspirin, no waiting period for donating whole blood. However, you must wait 2 full days after taking aspirin or any medication containing aspirin before donating platelets by apheresis. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you may donate platelets is Thursday.

Does the Red Cross accept hemochromatosis?

American Red Cross does not accept individuals with hemochromatosis as blood donors. Learn more about Hematocrit here. Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, Blood Count. In order to donate blood, a woman must have a hemoglobin level of at least 12.5 g/dL, and a man must have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.0 g/dL.

How to contact the Red Cross for blood donation?

Individuals with questions about their donation eligibility can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276. For the purposes of blood donation gender is self-identified and self-reported, which is relevant to the transgender community.

How is blood volume determined?

Blood volume is determined by body weight and height. Individuals with low blood volumes may not tolerate the removal of the required volume of blood given with whole blood donation. 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.

Tips for Blood Cancer Patients

Rituxan, which both Grubbs and D’Orazio received, was the first targeted therapy to be used for lymphoma. Since its approval in 1997 as a blood cancer treatment, 29 other targeted therapies have been approved for use in different types of blood cancer.

Find a Clinical Trial

There are many types of clinical trials open to blood cancer patients. For more information:

How long does it take to get a cancer referral?

This target is 21 days, although some cancer centres (including Sunnybrook) try to schedule most patients within two weeks of receiving the referral. The second target is for the date of the surgery. ...

Can you get chemotherapy after surgery?

Otherwise, the residual chemo can hinder healing of the surgical incision. Some patients also get additional chemotherapy following surgery. And, once again, there is a waiting period before the next stage of therapy can begin.

image

Reasons For Blood Donation Restrictions

Image
Before discussing the guidelines for blood donation after cancer, it's important to discuss the reasons why donating may not be allowed or advisable.
See more on verywellhealth.com

Blood Donation Eligibility Requirements

  • The basic requirements for blood donation state that it is okay for an individual to donate whole blood every 56 days if the following guidelines are met: 1. Being at least 17 years of age (or age 16 with permission from a parent) 2. Being in general good health and feeling well 3. Weighing at least 110 pounds Further requirements include restrictions on some medications, the absence o…
See more on verywellhealth.com

When Blood Donation Is OK

  • It's important to note that eligibility to donate blood can varydepending upon the cancer center or blood donation organization. For people who have had cancer, the donation center may require a letter from your oncologist indicating that it is safe for you to donate blood. In general, cancer survivors can donate blood in the United States if: 1. You meet the basic criteria above, 2. You h…
See more on verywellhealth.com

When Blood Donation Is Not Allowed

  • People with cancer who are not eligible to donate blood in the United States include: 1. Those in active cancer treatment 2. Those who have a cancer that is progressing 3. Those who have a cancer that has recurredfollowing remission 4. Those who have had blood-related cancers as an adult, such as leukemia, lymphomas including Hodgkin disease, multiple myeloma, or polycythe…
See more on verywellhealth.com

Outside The United States

  • Not only do eligibility requirements vary among different organizations in the United States, but vary between countries. A few examples follow. 1. Australia: According to the Australia Red Cross Blood Service survivors of solid tumors (but not blood-related cancers) may donate blood five years after cancer treatment is completed and remain cancer free. 2. Canada: Contact the Cana…
See more on verywellhealth.com

Other Options For Giving Back

  • Having received the benefits of medical care, many cancer patients and survivors wish to give back in some way. If you have asked this question as a cancer survivor, those who are living with cancer today are grateful. For those cancer survivors who are unable to donate blood, there are many other ways to help people with cancer. Perhaps you wish to participate in a relay for life, h…
See more on verywellhealth.com

A Word from Verywell

  • If you are a survivor of a solid tumor (but not a blood-related cancer like leukemia or lymphoma) you may be able to donate blood to help others. Since eligibility differs by organization as well as location, it may take a little legwork to do so. Even if the answer is no, keep in mind that there are almost limitless ways that you can "give back" in your community. Until we have a cure for all ca…
See more on verywellhealth.com