ruthkenn's Cancer Blog
July 16, 2010
OK, at the risk of sounding really stupid, are people with a cancer diagnosis in their health history allowed to donate blood once their cancer is declared “in remission”? I was checking the Red Cross’s website and it looks like if you’ve ever had chemo, you are not allowed to donate blood.
I realize this probably is the last thing most people on the blog are worried about. But I was a frequent donor prior to my illness. In fact, when I was told I would be tattooed for my radiation treatments, I asked the doctor if I had to wait 12 months to donate again (that is the wait period after decorative tattoos and is one of the reasons I’ve never gotten one). I think she thought I was crazy, and she didn’t answer my question.
When our son was an infant and facing major open heart surgery, my husband and I (along with several family members) all did directed donations for him. A child on heart/lung bypass needs many pints (I forget the exact number) of blood while on the machine. After he recovered, we kept donating at Children’s Hospital knowing that blood was ALWAYS in demand and it was a way to pay forward our extreme gratitude and good fortune that our son made it through his surgeries and is healthy today.
Even back in my college days, when the Red Cross would come to campus, about every 2 months, I donated every time. It just seemed like the right thing to do. I always tell my children that if you can help someone, no matter what that help might be, then you should do it.
I am surprised and sad today to learn that my donating days are over. Don’t think I’m not grateful for my treatment outcome. That is not the case. I’m sad that cancer has taken another thing from me in a place I never expected. I always felt that through blood donation, I was helping others. I waited 3 hours to donate on Sept. 11, 2001.
Sorry for this vent. Just feeling a little sad. I need to find another way to channel things. Maybe I could become a blood donor volunteer?
I suppose now I can get that tattoo and not be worried about the 12 month wait.
Hello Ruth, I do not know the answer to your question. I would however like to say what a kind person you are and what wonderful photographs of your family. Have a lovely week-end Ruth.
Love
Dani xx
Posted on Hey Ruthie,
I’m right there with you – I am (or was) a frequent donator as well – giving as often as I could. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to donate again or not. Thank you for answering this question – but how sad that cancer, has indeed, robbed us of one more thing.
:(
Jill
Posted on Ruth—
This is just testament to the quality person that you are! To give blood to begin with is such a selfless thing to do. But then to feel almost guilty and sad about no longer being able to donate is over-the-top quality. I admire you so much! I’m sure there are other ways you can help with blood drives. I know they need people to sign donors in, so that might be one way to stay involved. My mom (who is 85 years old now and past the age to donate) worked in that capacity for a few years. She also baked cookies for the donors to snack on afterwards.
I am sad to say that I only donated blood one time. Since then, I have not met the weight requirements—too light in the shorts! It’s a really good thing to do though and we never know when we might be the one in critical need of someone else’s gift of life.
You rock, sister!
Hugs—
Martha
Posted on Hi Ruth – I know just what you mean. I was a frequent blood donor and volunteered my time at the American Red Cross Blood Center. But, after having thyroid cancer in 1999 and receiving radioactive iodine treatment, I was told I could not donate anymore. I was sad, too, as I have O+ blood and it is always in demand. Volunteering would be the way to make a contribution. Take care – Cherie
Posted on Ruth,
My husband is a regular donor, so he can help make up for you. I have never been able to donate because I am too small. I am O negative and that is what the Red Cross always needs (not great blood to have). I have offered many times to donate a half pint instead, but they won’t take me up on my offer. The high school where I teach has a blood drive and I have been impressed with how many students line up to donate.
But I do understand the loss you feel. It’s another thing that separates cancer people from the non.
Be well.
Andrea
Posted on It’s funny that you posted this – I was thinking about this just the other day. I donated a few times, although certainly nowhere near the regularity that you did. I can feel your sense of loss through your writing. Those “Oh my God, I have/had cancer!” moments can really sideswipe us.
Thank you for your kind words about my dog & for your prayers for him.
Del
Posted on One more thing to grieve over, the little things hit you when you least expect it. I have always had a difficult time giving blood (weight which is just right to give away now…haha, but also my veins were very small and hard to get even before chemo). You are such a giving person, you can always volunteer and give out juice as well as educate so many others. I am sorry this is hurting, I understand how much it meant to you to have so many give for your child. Peace, Sharron
Posted on Ruth, That’s not a stupid question at all. I was wondering the same thing. I actually asked a pair of workers at a blood drive at Kaiser (I was there for a doctor’s appointment but went up and asked them that question for future reference.) Their response was, absolutely I could donate, as long as I had been in remission for a year. I assumed they were answering from a professional, learned position. I actually felt very uncomfortable with the answer. Maybe it’s all in my head but I feel somehow my blood is now tainted and I would hate the thought of possibly passing hidden cancer cells onto someone else or even residual toxins from the chemo/radiation. And in my mind I was wondering if they test every person’s blood that has been donated before using it and what exactly would show up. For my own comfort level and peace of mind, I am choosing not to ever donate again. I just would hate to be the cause of passing this disease onto someone else. Gail
Thanks for your post. Looks like a lot of people were thinking the same thing.
Posted on Hi Ruth – thank you!
As someone who has received life-saving blood (10 pints during childbirth / emergency caesarean crisis in 1982 and 2 last year during tumour haemorrhage drama), I am very grateful to all who have ever been donors. Because I received blood in the early 80s I have not been able to give back or forward and have been regretful. Perhaps you can continue with fund-raising and publicity?
I understand that sense of sadness in recognising another way in which the doing cancer journey has impacted your “normal” life.
Thank you too for the hugs and kind words the other day – much appreciated : ). love, janet xx
Posted on Ruth, you are such a wonderful person that you donate blood. I’ve never looked into this questioni because sadly I have never been able to donate. I just don’t weigh enough. Growing up I had a sister who had bone cancer and needed blood constantly and only one person in our family was albe to donate. Thank goodness for all the beautiful souls like you who added to her bank.
blessings,Nova
Posted on I asked my chemo doc a similar question—can we still be an organ donor—he is looking into it and I am still waiting for his answer.
Posted on Good post! I was wondering something similar, if I needed to go back to the DMV to have the “donor” removed from my license.
I recently read something on this where two different people that were cancer free wound up with I think Kidney Cancer after transplants. They traced the organs back and found the donor had cancer.
Posted on Hello all…I understand your sadness about losing the ability to donate, although I believe it does derive from a real concern about somehow transmitting the disease, given that we really do not know as much as we need to know about cancer and how it develops. I lived in Europe for 8 years and on return found that US blood agencies would not allow me to donate due to mad cow disease fears (not every worker knew that, but after several failed attempts to donate I realized that it really was a rule). But I could donate when I returned to Spain to visit! Now I understand that even that is ended, but as I just turned 66 I think I would be judged too old anyway. So, the only thing to do is help with blood drives in other ways – I work on a university campus and it’s good to see students turn out; we encourage students who work in or visit the museum to donate, during their work hours if that helps.
Posted on July 9, 2010
Hi all,
I received my 6-month post treatment CT scan results on the Friday of the long weekend (sorry for not telling you all!) and everything was NED! The date was July 2 which was the day before my 44th birthday (yes, I am 44…still trying to believe I am really 44). It was a great present. And I just burst into tears when the nurse called me. I couldn’t stop sobbing. I hadn’t realized how stressed I truly was until that moment. There were hints, of course. Short tempered with my husband and my kids… But I really thought I had it under control. NOT!
So I got a great birthday present. Next big thing is an exam by my surgeon (which I really need to move…we have concert tickets that night to see Sting who I love…don’t want to risk not feeling 100%) and since I need to move it, I don’t know when it will be. Oh well. The CT Scan was great, so, in my totally non-medical opinion, if I put off the exam a couple weeks, what’s the harm?
I hope this finds all of you well and enjoying summer and life. I know I am.
Peace,
Ruth
Congratulations, Ruth, that is wonderful news. And a big happy 44th birthday to you! I’m sure putting off the exam until after your concert will be fine. Enjoy your weekend, I know you will! Cherie
Ruth,
What a great bday present for you and your entire family! Hugs, hugs and more hugs!
Hi Ruth, I am so so so happy for you and your results. Every post that tells of good news gives us all hope. Happy Birthday! Frank
Posted on Hi Ruth – really glad to see a post from you with such good news – and what a wonderful birthday gift. Congratulations! Hope you had a truly happy day and that the stress eases and life becomes more peaceful. Hope too that you enjoy the concert (and that all is well when you get around to seeing the surgeon!).
Best wishes and love, janet
Hi Ruth!
Congratulations! I just knew you were going to be NED and I’m so very happy for you! I’m so glad you were able to get the results before the holiday weekend and your birthday so you could celebrate with no reservations! I know what you mean about being perhaps a little hard to live with just prior to these tests—only my husband uses a much stronger word to describe the mood I get in! :) I’m sure putting off the next exam for a few days so you can attend the conference will not matter. Of course, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for the next news to be all good too!
Hugs—
Martha
Hi Ruth,
Great News! The best birthday present ever….Happy Birthday and I wish you NED presents always.
love and hugs
Nancy
Posted on Wonderful news and birthday present. Very happy for you.
Take Care & God Bless…. Ed
Posted on Ruth, just the news we all want to hear and now you can relax. Ruth is NED! :-) Love to you and family Linda
Posted on 
Posted on July 2 was my first anniversary of diagnosis, and for me the day held much gratitude to the universe. When I first heard my bad news, I thought I’d be long gone by now. This past year has been so full of love and healing. Getting through the treatment was brutal, but now, without DIMA (devil in my *ss), I almost feel better than James Brown.—I do feel better than James Brown!
Best birthday wishes to you, NED always!
Yay! Oh, Ruth, what marvelous and joyous news. NED is the best birthday present of all.
Andrea
Congratulations…a very young 44 which is the new 34 anyway, and Sting, how could your cat scan not work in your favor with that treat waiting. Thanks for such a positive happy post, we all need the good news, they are good for our soul.
Peace, Sharron
hi, ruth. so very glad to hear your NED news. way to go! now just get on with living and enjoy all life brings your way. and, by the way, you could pass for 24! God bless you. debby
Posted on Dear Ruth,
i am so happy for you! Great news and not unexpecgtd as far as I was concerned. I do know how you feel though..interesting how we internailize these thing and do not even know it…This is a great leson for all of us…be aware and share….It is okay to worry..I know I am guilty of telling everyine to not worry…but I am going to try and check that…we all need a safe place to say //i am worried or scared… Anyway…go to that concert and re-schedule the exam! it will be fine! Blessings and love! Lori
Posted on congratulations ruth on your results…that is fantastic news! there could not be a better birthday present!
...and off to see Sting…ok I must admit I am a little jealous…I love him too and he could eat triscuits in my bed anyday!
Enjoy!
d xoox
Posted on Fantastic news! I know that feeling of being stressed and not really realizing until you have a release or break down. Happy Birthday too!
Best birthday present ever! So happy for you!
Hugs,
Eva
Posted on Have a lovely summer and wonderful news. You do not look 44 years old…you are beautiful.
Congrats on the good news, can’t wait to start having check with good news like that myself.
Hope you got to enjoy the Sting concert, he is a favorite of mine as well. He was in town with the Royal Philharmonic here earlier this summer and put on quite a fantastic performance.
Keep the positive attitude and thoughts going.
Jeff
Posted on Hi Ruth and thank you for your post on my blog, it is always good to have another friend. I wish I had discovered this site BEFORE I began treatment, as it would have helped a great deal, I do not know anyone who’s ever had this cancer and many people want to tell me about their breast cancer treatment, etc., but it does not help. I hope that you have scheduled your surgeon now and will get excellent news from that as well! Marshall
PS that’s a beautiful photo of a beautiful person…
Thanks for your support - 
