Blood Donation and Cancer

Here at The Blood Connection, we get a lot of questions about blood donation and how it relates to cancer. This isn’t surprising, considering that approximately 39.5% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Cancer impacts almost every American in one way or another — whether they are personally diagnosed or have a close friend or family member who receives a diagnosis. 

With this in mind, let’s answer some of the most common questions regarding cancer patients, cancer survivors, and blood donation. 

Can cancer patients give blood?

The short answer here is no, cancer patients cannot give blood until they’re in remission, no matter what type of cancer it is. Why? This precaution is for the safety of both cancer patients and potential blood recipients. Although the chance is very low, it is possible that a blood transfusion recipient with a weakened immune system might not be able to fight off the cancer cells (if present) in the blood they receive. Because of this possibility, cancer patients are not eligible to donate blood — but they may be able to in the future when they are in remission.

Can cancer survivors donate blood?

Yes! Most cancer survivors are eligible to donate blood. If the cancer has been successfully treated and it has been 12+ months since the last treatment was completed, cancer survivors can be blood donors. It’s important to note, however, this waiting period isn’t required for all cancer survivors. Those who have had lower-risk cancers such as squamous or basal cell cancers can donate if the cancer has been removed and healed completely — no 12-month waiting period is required. 

Blood Transfusions in Cancer Treatment

Blood donations play a critical role in the treatment and recovery of cancer patients. In fact, 25% of the nation’s blood supply goes to help cancer patients for  life-saving treatments. Many cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy, need regular blood transfusions to lessen the unpleasant side effects of treatments and improve their quality of life. 

Since cancers of the blood affect blood production the most, patients with these cancers are most in need of blood transfusions. Transfusions reduce the risk of complications that can come with a low cell count, and they also give the body healthy blood cells that it’s not producing on its own. 

Although nearly 1.9 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year, and many of these patients will need a blood transfusion at some point during their treatment, only 3% of eligible Americans donate blood each year. This is just one of many reasons why donating blood is so important! There’s a good chance your donation could help someone battling cancer, and just a few minutes of your time can make a lifelong difference for them.

If you are considering donating blood or setting up a blood drive in your community, visit The Blood Connection website to get in touch with us today.  We would love to talk with you and give you more information on how you can be a lifesaver in your community. 

What Men Need to Know About Giving Blood

People have a lot of questions about donating blood. 

• Will donating blood make me sick?
• Can I give blood if I’m a vegetarian?
• Can I donate if I’m on [insert medication here]?

It’s only natural for people to wonder whether they’re eligible to donate blood and how the process will affect them. Today, we’re going to address a few of the questions that usually come from our male donors. Men, guys, fellas, dudes … you’ve got questions. We’ve got answers. 

Does donating blood lower testosterone levels?

Many men wonder if giving blood will lower their testosterone levels – and the answer here is simple: Nope, it won’t long term. There are no associations between blood donation and lower testosterone levels. That being said, if testosterone levels are a concern, we certainly recommend following up with a physician.

Does giving blood impact cardiovascular health?

While cardiovascular events are scary for both men and women, men tend to be at a higher risk. How much higher? Between 70% and 89% of sudden heart attacks happen in men. There are numerous reasons why this is the case, but the fact remains that heart health is important, and one surprising way that men (and women) can improve their cardiovascular health is by giving blood regularly. Why is that? Good question.

Donating blood reduces blood viscosity. Blood viscosity can be a reliable predictor of a cardiovascular event in a patient. The thicker and stickier blood is, the more friction there is in blood vessels. This friction can cause damage and contribute to the possibility of a cardiovascular event. Giving blood can reduce the viscosity of a patient’s blood, reducing the potential damage to their blood vessels. 

A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) backs up this idea. The study found that participants between the ages of 43 and 61 had fewer heart attacks and strokes when they donated blood once every six months. This is great news! These findings suggest that donating blood not only helps others but can also benefit your personal health. It is important to note though: to maintain proper cardiovascular health, it is also essential to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and a balanced diet. If you are healthy, that also makes you eligible to donate blood in the first place.

Can donating blood burn calories?

Did you know donating blood will burn calories? Yep, it’s true! A study from the University of California San Diego found that blood donors burn an average of 650 calories per session. While this is something that both men and women can benefit from, men may especially be interested in burning a few extra calories as statistics show that men tend to be more overweight than women — 33% of men compared to 25% of women.

Of course, giving blood shouldn’t be the only tool people use to burn calories for weight loss. Just as with maintaining heart health, it is also important to exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet when trying to lose weight.  

Does being a blood donor reduce cancer risk?

There is no single factor that determines someone’s cancer risk; however, donating blood can reduce the risk of at least one contributing factor. 

Donating blood can reduce iron in the body, and the reduction of iron stores is linked to a lower risk of cancer, according to The Journal of National Cancer Institute. Iron is thought to increase free-radical damage in the body, and this damage has been linked to a higher risk of cancer and aging. Since men are more likely to get cancer than women, this is certainly a factor to consider when setting up an appointment to donate blood.  

Donating blood has more upsides than most people think. Not only can you save up to three lives with just one donation, giving blood also has many benefits for your health. To learn more about donating blood or to find a TBC location near you, visit our website or contact us. We would love to hear from you!

What Women Need to Know About Giving Blood

Donating blood or hosting a blood drive is a wonderful, selfless way to give back to your community. Each donation has the power to save up to three lives. Those lives could belong to anyone of any age, gender, or race, and we think that’s incredible! We are very grateful for all of our donors and hosts — you are the ones who make a difference and keep our life-saving mission alive. 

Of course, there are some donation requirements in place to ensure our generous donors are eligible, and women face some unique situations that can affect their ability to donate blood. That’s why we’re here today. We want to answer some of the questions that matter most to our female donors. 

Can women donate blood while pregnant?

Many of our regular female donors are curious if they can continue giving blood if they are expecting a child. As much as we appreciate their desire to donate, the answer is no.

Pregnant women need to focus on keeping their babies healthy, and donating blood is counteractive to this goal. The body needs blood and iron to support the fetus during pregnancy, and a lack of iron and nutrients after giving blood can increase the risk of complications like anemia. It can also compromise the health of the mother and the baby. The average woman needs 350-500 more milligrams of iron while pregnant to prevent an iron deficiency, so that’s why pregnant women cannot give blood. 

So, when can expectant mothers give blood again? The FDA recommends waiting six weeks after giving birth, which allows the woman time to heal and recover from pregnancy and delivery. Consulting a physician is best before giving blood again.

New mothers should also avoid giving blood if they plan to breastfeed. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns against donating blood while breastfeeding, as this can limit the vital nutrients going to the newborn. They recommend waiting nine months after giving birth or three months after the baby is weaned before the mother starts giving blood again. 

While women shouldn’t give blood while pregnant or breastfeeding, they do have the option to donate cord blood, the blood left over in the placenta and umbilical cord after the baby is born. Incredibly valuable to the medical community, cord blood is rich in stem cells, which are used to develop treatments to help cancer patients and other immunocompromised individuals. 

It’s important to note — you will not be asked about pregnancy during the screening process before giving blood. If you think you might be pregnant, we encourage you to take a pregnancy test before your blood donation appointment to make sure. 

If you still want to give back to the community but cannot donate blood yourself, consider hosting a blood drive. Get in touch with us, and one of our friendly TBC staff members will be in touch to help you through the process. 

Can women donate blood while menstruating?

Due to the nature of a period, it’s only natural to wonder whether or not it’s a good idea to give blood while menstruating. The good news is, yes, women can give blood while menstruating. Of course, if you are experiencing a particularly heavy cycle, waiting until your period is over may be best, as giving blood could cause your iron levels to drop. This temporary drop could make you feel fatigued after your donation or could make you ineligible at the time. We want all of our donors to have a rewarding experience, and there’s no shame in waiting another week or two to donate just to be safe.

As with any other donor, women must meet a few other requirements before giving blood. Donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with the permission of a parent or guardian, 16 and 17 with parental consent in North Carolina), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. As a general rule, potential donors should avoid giving blood if they feel unwell or have a fever. 

The Blood Connection is incredibly grateful for every donor who gives selflessly and saves lives. To learn more about The Blood Connection and find a donation location near you, visit our website or give us a call. We would love to hear from you and tell you more about how you can give back to your community.

Colds, Viruses, COVID-19 & Blood Donation: The Complete Guide

There are a lot of questions out there regarding blood donations and what factors make someone eligible or ineligible to donate. During the cold and flu season, many of these questions relate to — you guessed it — colds, flu, and COVID-19. Today, we’ll tell you what you need to know about donating blood and how it relates to the most common viruses. Let’s get into it!

Can You Donate Blood If You Have a Cold or the Flu?

Simply put — no. You should not donate blood if you are sick with a cold or the flu. This is for your safety. If you’ve scheduled an appointment to give blood and realize you’re not feeling well the day of your donation, it is best to reschedule that appointment. A good rule of thumb is that you should be symptom-free for at least 48 hours prior to your donation. Make sure you’re not running a fever or experiencing cold- or flu-related symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sniffles, or fatigue. 

Note: this doesn’t mean anything is ‘wrong’ with your blood. This is for your safety.

Why is it so important to stay well before donating blood? Your body relies on your blood to fight sickness, so it’s always a bad idea to give blood while your immune system is compromised. Donating blood while sick can further compromise your immunity, perpetuate cold and flu symptoms, and even make those symptoms worse. In extreme cases, you could even develop pneumonia. 

With this precaution in mind, it’s important to remember that while donating blood can overwhelm an already compromised immune system, it will not make you sick if you are already feeling well. A healthy body will recover quickly after donating blood. 

What About Donating Blood After a Flu Shot?

Getting the flu is likely not on your annual to-do list, so getting a flu shot every year is a good idea. If you are worried that getting a flu vaccine will affect your blood donation eligibility, don’t be. As long as you feel well, it is perfectly fine to donate blood after receiving a flu shot — even if it’s on the same day! 

Donating Blood and COVID-19

Understandably, there are quite a few questions surrounding blood donations and COVID-19. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms or symptoms from any illness, it’s in your best interest not to donate blood. Instead, we recommend you see a doctor and take a COVID test. The American Red Cross suggests waiting 10 days after a positive COVID test without symptoms or 14 days after COVID symptoms have completely cleared to give blood. If you plan to donate blood and tested positive for COVID-19 or experienced COVID symptoms in the past 10 days, we strongly encourage you to reschedule your donation appointment for another day. 

But what about COVID vaccines? Do those impact your ability to donate? We’re happy to report that they do not. If you have been vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19, you are still eligible to donate blood. Much like the yearly flu vaccine, you can even donate on the same day you receive the vaccine.  As long as you feel well, go ahead and head to that donation appointment. Just make sure to drink plenty of water beforehand!

We want our generous, life-saving donors to stay well, so we encourage you to follow the above advice if you come down with a cold, the flu, or COVID-19. If you become sick, remember to drink plenty of fluids, get some rest, and see a physician to ensure that you are on the path to wellness. When you feel like yourself and are ready to donate blood again, we will be thrilled to see you at The Blood Connection!

We’re Dispelling Common Blood Donation Myths

Donating blood is a selfless act that is rewarding and beneficial to your community. A single donation can save up to three lives — that’s amazing! However, even when you know all the benefits, giving blood for the first time can be a bit intimidating — especially if you’ve heard the common myths about donating blood. Is donating blood bad for you? Can it make you sick? What if you have a tattoo or piercing? Does your donation really matter if you have a common blood type?

There are many rumors surrounding blood donation, so we’re here to separate fact from fiction. We’re debunking nine common myths about donating blood. Let’s get to the bottom of these rumors and learn the truth. 

9 Myths About Blood Donation (and Why They’re Wrong)

Donating Blood Makes You Sick 

This is false! Donating blood will not make you sick. It’s a safe process that is performed thousands of times a day. If you are already a healthy person before your donation, you will not become sick as a result of your donation. However, if you don’t drink enough fluids or have a healthy meal prior to your donation, you can feel nauseous, achy, or too hot/cold for a little while after donating. This is why it’s so important to follow recommended guidelines before giving blood! The body replenishes blood quickly, so you won’t miss a beat in your daily routine as long as you’re properly fed, hydrated, and rested. After donating, your blood volume should return to normal within 48 hours, and your red blood cells will return to their normal levels in 4-6 weeks. 

Giving Blood Weakens Immunity

Wrong. Giving blood does not cause weakened immunity in the long run. Because of the sudden reduction in red blood cells, there will be a very temporary drop in some immune cells. However, overall immunity is not affected, and the body recovers quickly. This is why the FDA sets parameters on how often people can donate – to make sure donors aren’t donating too often to the point that it affects their health.

Blood Donation Causes Weight Gain or Loss

This claim is off base. Donating blood will not result in any drastic weight gain or weight loss. Interestingly though, donating blood does burn calories. In fact, one donation session can burn up to 650 calories – which is equivalent to an intense workout. No wonder your body needs a snack and a drink after donating! 

Donating Blood is Painful

Ok, we’re not going to pretend this one’s 100% false. There will be some slight pain (more like a pinch, really) when the needle is inserted into your arm, and there may be a little discomfort during the blood drawing process. But as with most myths, this one exaggerates the actual experience.  Plus, when you consider all the good your donation can do,  it helps you see the momentary discomfort from a compassionate perspective.

People With Piercings or Tattoos Can’t Give Blood

You can absolutely give blood if you have tattoos or piercings — you just might have to wait. If you received the tattoo from a licensed technician, you can donate blood almost immediately. If you didn’t, you will have to wait 4 months. If you’ve recently gotten a piercing, you’ll need to wait three months if the piercing was performed with a reusable instrument. After that waiting period, you are then eligible to donate blood. Most piercings are performed with a one-time use instrument by a licensed technician, just like tattoos, so most people don’t have to wait after getting a piercing. 

Common Blood Types Don’t Need to Donate

This myth is definitely not true! Eligible adults with all blood types are encouraged to donate as often as possible. Common blood types are the ones most often used in transfusions, so the demand for them is always high. Blood banks and hospitals don’t want to rely on universal blood types, so all donated blood, regardless of the type, is incredibly appreciated!

Vegetarians and Vegans Cannot Donate Blood

Once again, this is just a myth. Vegetarians and vegans can both donate blood. It’s important to note that they need to be cautious of their iron levels, as it can be more difficult for those with iron-deficient diets to replenish iron after donating blood. If the donor’s iron intake is sufficient, giving blood is no problem. If you are a vegetarian or vegan and plan to donate blood regularly, it’s great to consult your doctor. They may suggest ways to get more iron in your diet, or they may recommend taking iron supplements. 

Donating Blood Takes a Long Time

When giving blood, the actual donation time only takes 8-15 minutes. Yes, really! Although the screening and pre-donation mini-physical can take a little longer, the donation process is very quick. However, if you are donating with The Blood Connection, this time can be cut down when you answer questions ahead of time using TBC Express. You can also make an appointment to save time at a donation center or bloodmobile.

People With High Cholesterol Can’t Give Blood

Like all the others we’ve looked at, this one is also just a myth. Neither high cholesterol nor taking medications that lower cholesterol makes someone ineligible for blood donation. It is best if the donor’s cholesterol is under control. If this myth has kept you from donating blood before, we’re happy to disprove it and let you know that you can still save lives!

Get the Facts About Blood Donation

Only 3% of eligible adults donate blood annually, and the myths surrounding blood donation can make recruiting new donors more challenging. That’s why debunking these myths is so essential. We want everyone to have the correct information so that anyone who wants to donate can do so with full confidence and peace of mind.

If you’re interested in donating blood or want to learn more about the process, we would love to talk with you. Visit our website today to schedule an appointment and get the inside scoop on how simple it is to save lives!