Gave Blood Yesterday!!

Is there a wait time after PC surgery? I've been meaning to give some....

The Red Cross calls me a lot, apparently my blood type is in high demand, so I've had several discussions with them on this topic. Apparently the deferral can be as low as 1 year now... I assume that's one year of low PSA in the case of PC. Here's something off a Red Cross website:

Good News! After careful consideration, the Red Cross now believes that it is acceptable for most cancer survivors to donate blood 12 months after their last treatment is completed if they meet all other eligibility criteria. The American Red Cross recently changed the deferral criteria for blood donors with a history of non-blood cancers such as breast, lung, brain, colon and prostate cancers from a 5-year deferral to a 12-month deferral after treatment for cancer.

John

"the Red Cross now believes that it is acceptable for most cancer survivors to donate blood 12 months after their last treatment is completed if they meet all other eligibility criteria" I would think this would refere to people that went the radiation route??

No cookie, she took one look at me and just knew I didn't need any cookies! I was lucky to get the OJ!!!

I emailed a local "Carter Blood Care" company and asked about donating. I specifically asked about "surgical removal." Here's their reply: "Under current FDA guidelines, it must be five years after the end of your treatment before you can donate again. So in your case it would be 5 years from the date of your surgery. Please give us a call closer to that time to set up your appointment for you!"

It is much the same here in Australia regarding blood donors. I have been a blood donor for years but was told I could not give for 5 years. This stuck me as odd because apart form the usual questions posed when donating, surgery and an exclusion period were no where near this time. Cancer cannot be caught from another person... the recipients immune system will kill off foreign cells from the donor. But there is an exception. In those with a compromised immune system such as transplant recipients on immuno-suppressant drugs or those suffering serious illness that damages the immune system the cancer may be able to transplant and grow in the recipient. Theoretically it should be possible for a woman who underwent a transplant and is on immuno-suppressant drugs to acquire a prostate cancer, say in the bones, from an undiagnosed male donor.
Bill

I got a really nice reply from the Red Cross: Dear Mr. Jones:   I am replying to your e-mail sent to us earlier this afternoon in which you asked for an explanation for the different deferral periods you were being told in regards to deferring a donor with a history of cancer. Actually, the FDA does not mandate anything about cancer-related deferral periods per se.  Therefore, it is up to the individual blood centers or systems [like the American Red Cross Blood Services (ARCBS)] to set its own guidance.  Given no documented cases (in the medical literature) of transfusion-transmitted cancer, the ARCBS recently decided that the deferral period for non -hematologic* types of cancer could be reduced—to one year, a change from the prior 5-year deferral period.  Both deferral periods are arbitrary, but the thinking is that a one-year deferral would at least ensure that the donor (with history of cancer) has had the chance to regain his/her previous level of health.  We always have to keep in mind the safety of the blood we collect in terms of the patient, as well as in regards to the donor—we have to ensure that in collecting a unit of blood, we are not compromising the health of a volunteer blood donor!  As for the blood center that still defers a donor for 5 years, it might be in the process of changing to one year deferrals, too.  Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. * Non-hematologic cancers are the ones that do not arise from blood cells or the precursors of blood cells.  All cancers of the major organs, including those of the brain or skin, are “non-hematologic cancers.”  Leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are examples of hematologic cancers, which require an indefinite deferral.   Sincerely,   Mei-chien H. Fucci, M.D. Medical Officer, Southwest Region-Oklahoma Chief Medical Officer, Central Plains Region

Yeppers...I got a little carried away...I even sent the letter from the Red Cross to the  local "Carter Blood Care" company...The lady there sounded very greatful. Maybe they'll change to the one year rule and quit turning people away

I think it varies by the stage and grade as well. I was told to keep my blood. But I amd still on HT and also Ace Inhibiters BP issues. And after radiation my blood just might glow too much. LOL. Truthfully, I don't know that I could ever donate again.

Tony

    I will have to check with my local center.  I can't wait to start giving agian.  We get a free t-shirt too!  Oh....and my work gives us 4 hours to "rest and recover".  BUT, they do not require a time stamp on the receipt so we can still go play 18 and have time to donate before they close!!!!!!....

    KW