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- $Unique_ID{BRK00331}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Reasons for Blood Donor Rejection}
- $Subject{transfusion donor anemia Blood Forming Organs American Red Cross
- Association Blood Banks hepatitis heart disease cancer cancers bleeding
- disorder disorders convulsions pregnancy pressure anemia transfusions donors}
- $Volume{D-7}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Reasons for Blood Donor Rejection
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- QUESTION: Thinking I would perform a good deed as I believe all citizens
- should, I tried to donate blood during a recent drive at my place of
- employment. I was very disappointed when I was disqualified after they took a
- finger stick blood sample. I was told to see my doctor for possible anemia.
- Are there any other reasons for which they will not take your blood donation?
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- ANSWER: The answer to the question you asked is "Yes". The answer to the
- question you didn't ask is "No, I don't think that there is anything else
- seriously wrong with you that they didn't mention". There are two major
- organizations in the United States concerned with collecting blood, The
- American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks. Each has its
- own set of rules and standards concerning the eligibility of donors, but they
- are pretty much the same. All donors go through a brief screening, including
- a health interview and medical history, a hemoglobin test, temperature, pulse
- rate and blood pressure. From this information a decision about your ability
- to donate blood is made. There are certain conditions which mean that you may
- never be able to follow the dictates of your community conscience. A history
- of hepatitis, heart disease, cancer, and bleeding disorders, convulsions, or
- AIDS, or being in an AIDS at risk group will disqualify you. However,
- problems of pregnancy, recent major surgery, either low or high blood
- pressure, the use of certain medications and anemia require that your donation
- be deferred until the situation has been corrected or changes. These rules
- are not meant to offend you, but have been established to protect both the
- donor as well as the recipient from potential harm. In your case the solution
- looks rather simple. See your doctor and have your anemia checked and
- corrected. Then you will be able to donate. Judging from the contents of
- your letter, the blood of a man like you may be something special.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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