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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/22/2022 6:30 AM (GMT 0)
Anyone know if blood banks will take donations from people with UC?
Posted 1/22/2022 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was rejected one time, I think it was because of an autoimmune disease but could have been because of my medication.
Posted 1/22/2022 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Random fact: I can't give blood in the Netherlands because i lived in the UK during the 90s which means I might have mad cow disease.
Posted 1/23/2022 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
ARC turned me away once I was diagnosed with UC/Crohn's. They said they are considered autoimmune diseases and since there isn't any way to tell exactly what causes either of the diseases they turned me away. I also was told that I can not donate my organs any longer at the local DMV.

I'm located in Texas. It's been awhile (before Covid) that I was told that at the DMV. During my last surgery (April 2021) the hospital said they would save my blood for my surgery but I could not donate it to others. I didn't ask about it then cause of the previous responses I have had.

It really made me sad. I used to donate monthly at work.... And now I worry about if whoever received my blood developed UC/Crohn's.

Clo
Posted 1/23/2022 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
UC isn't on any of the lists I have seen, but some of the biologics are.
Posted 1/23/2022 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
I've seen UC on lists that exclude us from donating.
Posted 1/23/2022 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
Suchatravisity and Sara,

Yes I saw lists that showed medications and IBD listed separately last night when I googled it.
Posted 1/23/2022 3:32 PM (GMT 0)

clo2014 said...
ARC turned me away once I was diagnosed with UC/Crohn's. They said they are considered autoimmune diseases and since there isn't any way to tell exactly what causes either of the diseases they turned me away. I also was told that I can not donate my organs any longer at the local DMV.

I'm located in Texas. It's been awhile (before Covid) that I was told that at the DMV. During my last surgery (April 2021) the hospital said they would save my blood for my surgery but I could not donate it to others. I didn't ask about it then cause of the previous responses I have had.

It really made me sad. I used to donate monthly at work.... And now I worry about if whoever received my blood developed UC/Crohn's.

Clo

Oh no! I knew already I was excluded from donating blood, but never knew about not being able to donate organs. I have registered to be an organ donor. Maybe it's different here than in Texas, but ... I dunno.
Posted 1/23/2022 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
No in Ireland.
Posted 1/23/2022 4:47 PM (GMT 0)

Serenity Now said...

Oh no! I knew already I was excluded from donating blood, but never knew about not being able to donate organs. I have registered to be an organ donor. Maybe it's different here than in Texas, but ... I dunno.

Maybe they can use other parts like the skin or corneas.

When I’m dead it’s really not a concern for me anymore. Plus there will be designed organs in a few years that you will not need to take antirejection drugs for.
Posted 1/23/2022 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
FYI, I called Red Cross's blood donation group. They said UC is OK for blood donation, as long as you are asymptomatic.

That doesn't make much sense to me, but that's their call.
Posted 1/24/2022 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Wow!! I wonder why they told me different in Texas.. but it's been almost a year so things could have changed .. or it could be different from state to state? I dunno.

But good news if you want to donate!!

Thanks for letting us know.

Clo
Posted 1/24/2022 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
I’ve had UC for 20 years, and have never once been denied from donating blood. And, my biological meds are not on the “prohibited” list for donation.

So, I will continue to donate as long as I can.

*I live in Florida.
Posted 1/24/2022 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
It seems to vary by org/state, which is insane. If you want to donate, call up your local place. We're in a blood shortage, so if you can, please do! I got 13 units this summer, so I am not allowed to donate for quite a while (there is a waiting period post-transfusion), otherwise I would.
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