Just found out that as I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer I can no longer give blood. The reason is that they can’t be sure it’s not passed through the blood. To say I’m gutted doesn’t come close. I can cope with the cancer, it’s all the ‘extras’ I hadn’t budgetted for!
I know what you mean. I was upset over that too. Just when you think you have moved on a bit, something comes along to bite you " you know where". I am looking for a part time job and never know what to say about my dx on the application forms. I have read things for and against declaring all.
Love
Debbie
Yes - I sympathise with you. Two years ago I had a blood tranfusion and had to stop being a donor. Like you I was gutted, I was one off getting my silver badge. I did get a nice thank you certificate though!!
Take care Swanie
I was sad to find this out… & also on donation 24! I have got my husband to start donating now which he never did before, & try to encourage other people to become donors, at least that way I am still supporting them in a way!
Mand
Wow, I hadn’t thought of that at all! Was discussing blood donoring with the anaesthetist in pre-op - how many you do to get a gold badge - and she didn’t say anything about contra-indications.
Good point about application forms, just how much do you say?
I’d thought of that, Mand - try and encourage some new donors then I could ‘add’ their pints to make a virtual score for me! We have to find some way of coping and making sense of it all, don’t we?
25 is silver so I suspect 50 is gold, palomino98.
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Thanks lynnietom, I’m way off that. Will certainly encourage my 21 and 19 year olds to start, they may be more receptive to the idea in the current climate at home!
Lyn xx
Hi
Did you also know that organ donation is a problem too? there was a thread running on here a while back about it. I emailed the transplant organ folk and posted their reply on former thread. Basically, it depends on diagnosis etc as affected organs can then spread cancer cells into the recipient.The knock-on effect of this vile disease seems never-ending!
Love Gill xx
Hi again
Just scrolled through to find former thread. Here is the reply I had from the organ donation folk:
Cancer is one of the diseases that can be passed from the donor to the recipient. The reason for this is that it is possible to transmit infections and other diseases from the donor to the recipient and this risk is made greater by the drugs taken by the transplant patient to stop their body rejecting the new organ. However, the risk that this will happen depends to some extent on the type of cancer, the treatment that has been received and the length of time since the disease was diagnosed and treated. In general, organs would not normally be used for transplants from people who have developed cancer a relatively short time before they died. Corneas, however, can always be used, as the risk of transmitting the disease with the cornea is virtually zero. When people have had successful treatment for cancer many years ago, organ donation may be more realistic.
In every case where someone is identified as a potential donor, specialist healthcare professionals, taking account of past and current medical history, will make a decision about whether some or all organs or tissues are suitable for transplant. Therefore, I see no reason why your name should not be on the Register.
Food for thought?
Love Gill x
Hi Thrifty and palomino98,
I’ve been thinking about the job application thing.
I think there’s 2 issues here:
- Is cancer seen as ‘illness’ therefore ones track record of days/time off may not look too good or
- Is cancer seen as a disability? My employing authority Derbyshire claim not to discriminate on the grounds of disability, race, gender etc. etc. so it shouldn’t make a difference, should it???
Hi Gill
I’ll have to look in to the organ donor bit as I always thought I’d donate (till now!). I didn’t need chemo so that’s one thing less.
We’ll just have to live till we’re old and grey and they’ll want our bits and boobs, sorry bobs ;o)
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Hi Lynnietom,
I was diagnosed with DCIS and have since had a mastectomy and given the ‘all clear’.
When I rang blood-donors to check about giving blood again I was amazed to be told that they didn’t want my blood ‘ever again’.
So much for, no breast, no breast cancer!
At this rate there won’t be many people left to give blood.
I believe it is different in the USA.
Hi AmazonD
I think they get paid to donate blood in USA too! Don’t think it will cover the air fare, do you? ;o)
We’ve been rejected cos there isn’t proof that breast cancer can’t be passed in the blood and we could, in theory, pass it on - I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy so have to accept it until such times that it has been proven otherwise.
Well done on the ‘all clear’!
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I have also been told this week that my blood is not wanted… I kind of suspected as much… although I did think that maybe they’d say leave it a year, then come back to us. I’ve been giving since I was 18yrs old… now 44 yrs and had clocked up 48 or 49 donations - can’t remember which… so just short of the gold badge. Don’t know why I was bothered, as I’ve never worn the bronze or silver ones!
Anyway, when I phoned up the Blood Donor Service in Scotland, they said I’d get a letter of explanation from the doctors… and they sent me… the gold badge, in appreciation of all the donations I’d made over the years. Nice gesture, but somehow I feel a bit of a fraud, even though I was only a couple short, when I had to stop!
AliS
I was a blood donor, i’ve been struck off the list, bone marrow ibid, and now do I need to tear my organ donor card as well?
Sophie
There’s another thread about donor cards, vercors. Can’t remember where it is though so not helpful sorry! If I find it again, I’ll let you know.
Wow, AliS! Well done you for all those pints.
It’s disappointing not being able to donate any more but at least we did it when we could and haven’t been denied that opportunity. (I’m trying to be positive - can you tell?)
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Got it!
Current issues/hot topics - Organ donation and breast cancer
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