Blood Donation with Type 2

[davef]

I was just wondering if you are allowed donate blood where you live. I used to donate blood and at one time I donated Plasma, it's voluntary here and the only "payment" is a cup of tea and a sandwich/cookie. Although the also offered a half pint of Guinness at one point. There is one other "reward", as I have a donated blood should I or my family need blood there would be no charge for receiving it.

I recently asked if I could donate now that I have diabetes and was told that they would have no problem with my blood however they wouldn't take a donation for fear of me having a hypo after donating :(, was tempted to offer to load up on carbs before hand as it would be an excuse to eat white bread! :D

[shabbie]

ironically i just had a conversation with a diabetic customer about this very subject!

she is type 2. she told me that even when she was controlled by diet only they refused her donation.

i have previously phoned the blood donor helpline here in the uk and was told that i would not be required to donate blood as i take medication. i was only on insulin at the time!

i believe the us/canada is different?

[shabbie]

the same customer also told me she was unable to have her ears pierced without a doctors note!!!

[w5wjp]

In the U.S., having D is not a bar to blood donation, as long as you meet all the other criteria and are reasonable healthy.

[gettingby]

David, I found these guidelines for donating blood in the US.

# Donors must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health. Donors must be free from infections, the flu, fever, or sore throat. Colds and runny noses (clear discharge) are acceptable.
# Donors must not have donated whole blood within the past eight weeks.
# Individuals whom had their ears pierced in a salon, boutique or by a physician are eligible to donate.
# Individuals whom had received tattoos or body piercing in a licensed tattoo or piercing facility located in Wisconsin or Iowa are eligible to donate.
# Individuals whom had received tattoos or body piercing by a licensed facility outside of Wisconsin or Iowa must wait 12 months before donating blood.
# Individuals whom had received tattoos or body piercing from a non-licensed person or business must wait 12 months before donating blood.
# Individuals whom had received a blood transfusion must wait 12 months before donating blood.
# Individuals whom had a MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) shot must wait four weeks before donating blood.
# Persons with a heart condition or who have had cancer should be evaluated by blood center staff prior to scheduling a donation appointment.
# Persons whom had hepatitis after age 11 should be evaluated by blood center staff prior to scheduling a donation appointment.
# Any person who has participated in any high-risk activity for HIV/AIDS may not donate blood.
# Persons with diabetes may donate blood if the diabetes is controlled.
# Women whom are confirmed to be pregnant or suspect they are pregnant may not donate blood. After pregnancy there is a 6-week waiting period.
# Donors with allergies need to wait until the symptoms are minimal or under control.
# Travelers returning from a country where malaria infection is possible must wait one year before donating blood. If person has had malaria, there is a 3-year deferral period from the last outbreak.

[Evermont]

I was turned away as a blood donor because I was in Spain for 6 months in 1985 (US Navy). They said it's a "mad cow disease" risk, they'll call me back when they figure out how to screen for it. I would have been turned away if I had ever taken any bovine insulin for the same reason (I think). I've never had any insulin so that wasn't a problem for me.

[Stuboy]

you are not allowed to give blood with diabetes in the UK. i was told, type 1 or type 2.

[HelenM]

Not allowed to donate blood in the UK because of the diabetes I could donate here but not allowed to because I have lived in the UK in the '80s and '90s(risk of BSE .. mad cow disease stops Brits donating blood almost everywhere but the UK)

[davef]

Okay so looks like Ireland is not alone in not allowing donations. Before I was DX'ed I actually could not donate for about 2 years as I kept travelling to Florida (West Nile Virus) and Canada (SARS) and had to wait 6 months after visiting these place before I would be allowed donate again, but I didn't manage to get 6 months without visiting one of the two places.

[Alice]

In the U.S. you are not only "allowed", but encouraged to donate blood being diabetic. (Only the old wives club have told me otherwise...the Red Cross staff has been enthusiastic in several cities I've lived)...

Not only that, but in the US you are able to donate organs. Don't let the nincompoop at the DMV tell you otherwise. Organs are only taken when accessed by MD's...not the old wives club.

I've grown weary of working in offices and co-workers telling me I can't donate blood or donate organs. I've lumped them all together into what I call the "old wives club".

[fgummett]

This from the Canadian Blood Services' web site...
"If you have diabetes that is treated by diet or oral hypoglycemics, you may be eligible to donate blood.
It is important to note that each donor is different, and the use of certain medications or other underlying conditions may be cause for deferral.
Please call the Canadian Blood Services location closest to you and ask to speak to someone on the Medical staff.
If your diabetes is treated with insulin, you are unable to donate blood.
Please note that this information is subject to change.
Final eligibility determination rests with the screening staff at the donor clinic."

I'm out because of insulin and having lived in the UK until 1989 there is the Mad Cow thing!

But I am glad to say my 17 year old son donated blood at his school recently :D