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Permalink Reply by Cheri on December 29, 2009 at 9:58am

Hi Laura -

Thanks for bringing this subject up (diabetics and giving blood) - something I've wondered about.for awhile. Hope someone has some answers. However, I think the "petite" thing was stupid - what, petite people can't give blood? As far as BP, what was it?

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Permalink Reply by Laura Antulov on December 29, 2009 at 9:59am

Hi Laura,

According to the American Red Cross websites own eligibility criteria listing, diabetics who are "well-controlled on insulin or oral medications" are eligible to donate blood. There have always been certain weight restrictions and the eligibility criteria on height/weight for students reads "You must weigh at least 110 lbs to be eligible for blood donation for your own safety. Students who donate at high school drives and donors 18 years of age or younger must also meet additional height and weight requirements for whole blood donation (applies to girls shorter than 5'6" and boys shorter than 5')." I have donated blood on many occasions without adverse reaction, but was turned away many times as a young woman in my college days due to the height/weight restriction.

If the eligibility requirements continue to exclude you, perhaps you could volunteer time to help with the next blood drive. The Red Cross uses volunteers to call/schedule/confirm appointments with past donors and to "man" many of the stations where no "sensitive" information is collected. I'm sure they'd love to have your assistance.

Good luck to you and thank you for being willing to help.

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Permalink Reply by Laura on December 29, 2009 at 10:14am

Thanks for the replies guys.
Laura, I live in Canada so the American Red Cross doesn't apply
But the weight restriction is the same here.. which is what she meant by "too petite" lol

Cheri, I don't remember the exact numbers but i think my systolic was like 80. Low blood pressure runs in my mom's side of the family

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Permalink Reply by Marps on December 29, 2009 at 10:18am

Hi Laura

I'm in New England in the USA and I've donated twice. They didnt mind that I was type 1, so long as at the TIME of DONATION my BG was "normal".

Low blood pressure would make it difficult for them to let you donate. :*(

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Permalink Reply by John Brush on December 29, 2009 at 10:39am

Laura, it is wonderful that you are willing and wanting to donate. That shows where your heart is at.

I would venture to say that they are just overly particular in order to avoid complications and potential lawsuits, or other litigation. Too petite? That cracks me up. Hardly a definition of health or body structure.

Likely there is ignorance in the diabetes side of it, and again, rather than educate themselves, they probably just opt to say "no" to avoid any problems. I don't see how it could affect your blood sugar levels, unless you had too many cookies and too much juice afterwards :-)

Many years ago, I was rejected because my BP was too high. I told them I would be perfect because I could fill the bag faster than anyone else, and get in and out quicker. They didn't go along with it, and sent me home ;-) Low blood pressure? Hard to see how that could matter, but again, I think they are just taking the easy way out to avoid getting into any legal problems.

I like the idea of volunteering to do other things. It lets you help, and that is what appears to be the motivation of your heart, so maybe that could help you out.

John

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Permalink Reply by Dori S on January 2, 2010 at 5:17pm

The problem with having a BP on the low side is that by donating and decreasing the amount of fluid circulating in your sytem your BP could drop even lower until the fluid is replenished.

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Permalink Reply by Gerri on January 2, 2010 at 10:37pm

I've been turned down as a donor because I'm too small also & this was before I was diagnosed. The tech had me get on a scale.

Taking the required amount of donor blood from someone under a certain weight is removing too much blood for smaller bodies to handle. It's not safe.

Low BP can also cause problems for the donor.

My husband gives regularly to try to make up for me:)

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Permalink Reply by Scott on December 29, 2009 at 10:40am

I can't donate blood because back in the dark ages I took an insulin that was beef/pork mixture, That was 25 years ago but there is a concern about mad-cow disease...

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Permalink Reply by Betty J on December 29, 2009 at 3:10pm

Scott, not that I have tried to give blood but your remark concerning animal insulin intrigued me. I also use to use beef/pork insulin back in the day. But I wasn't aware there is a concern regarding mad-cow disease because we used those insulins. Thanks for the info.

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Permalink Reply by FatCatAnna on December 29, 2009 at 5:47pm

Wow! Really Scott, that's the reason you can't donate blood? Now I know where the bristles on my face come from (thought it was old age).

Seriously tho', I know here in Canada, as Laura has pointed out, we diabetics can't donate blood. I asked this when I was donating my blood for a surgery (interesting watching a bag fill up with your own blood, a bigger drop then from your finger tip that's for sure ). They had said tho' that in the US, if you were in control, you could donate. Interesting how things differ from one country to another.

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Permalink Reply by Andrea G on January 2, 2010 at 5:04pm

I just donated blood a few months back and they were concerned at first because I used to take beef/pork (around 1985) but they called into the main Red Cross office and they cleared me to give blood. It was not an issue. I have been donating blood since I was 18 and have had no issues...

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Permalink Reply by Scott Strumello on December 29, 2009 at 10:45am

My sister has type 1 and although her local facilities do not want whole blood from people with diabetes, they do have a need for platelet or plasma donations (which take longer than donating whole blood), which she pretty regularly donates. Blood contains several components, including red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and plasma. During a whole blood donation, donors typically donate a pint of blood. During platelet or plasma donation, your blood is collected and then separated into its components by a machine; the machine keeps the platelets or plasma and returns the rest to you. Your blood stays confined within a single-use sterile tubing kit and sterile equipment, so the process is completely safe. You should ask about all options that might be available to you as a would-be donor; just because whole blood may not be eligible doesn't mean they don't need your platelets or plasma!

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