8 excuses not to donate blood, busted

I take drug.

I just got over it influenza.

I have one chronic health condition.

These are three common reasons people say they can’t donate blood. The good news is that these excuses – and other common ones – don’t necessarily mean you can’t donate blood at the MD Anderson Blood bank.

To get some insight into these and five other excuses that might be holding you back, we spoke with four blood donors and Fernando Martinez, MDpathologist at MD Anderson and specialist in transfusion medicine.

Excuse #1: I take medication.

Facts: Although some drugs may prevent you from donating blood or platelets, the list of restricted drug classes is quite short and often updated.

If you take a common blood thinner, for example, you had to wait 30 days before donating blood. Now you can donate whole blood at any time, even while taking this medication. And, you only need to be away for two weeks before giving platelets.

“Don’t assume anything you’re taking isn’t allowed,” Martinez says. “You might be surprised at how many drugs are acceptable.”

To find out if any of your medications are on the restricted list, call MD Anderson Blood bank at 713-792-7777.

Excuse #2: I have a chronic health condition.

Facts: You can donate blood if you have a chronic illness such as Diabetes or high blood pressure.

In fact, you can even donate blood or platelets now if you’ve had certain forms of cancer. If you have been cancer free for at least two years, have fully completed your treatmentand didn’t have leukemia, lymphomaor another type of blood disorder, MD Anderson The blood bank will gladly accept your donation.

“I thought my days of giving were over,” recalls Cliff Carsonwho was diagnosed skin cancer in 2018. “So I was really excited to hear the eligibility criteria changed. I have been donating blood for over 40 years and I am delighted that I can continue to do so.

To find out if you are eligible to have a previous deferral removed, call 713-792-7777.

Excuse #3: I was sick.

Facts: Even if you have had the flu or COVID-19[feminine] recently, you can still donate blood. The flu, the common cold, and COVID-19 are all respiratory infections. This means that they are propagated by inhaling virus particles that have been exhaled, coughed, or sneezed by someone elsenot by blood transfusion.

“You can’t give someone a cold by donating blood,” Martinez says. “So if you’re feeling well and healthy now and haven’t had any symptoms for at least a week, we’d love to see you.”

If you’re worried about catching a virus yourself from donating, don’t be. MD Anderson The Blood Bank continues to take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Excuse #4: I don’t have time.

Facts: Giving blood doesn’t take long. You could even donate blood on your lunch break.

“I usually donate when there’s a lull,” says Christine Duranaclinical nurse at MD Anderson Lymphoma/Myeloma Center. “It only takes about 30 minutes.”

MD Anderson hosts blood drives in the Houston area each week, and our blood donation center on Holly Hall is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

find a MD Anderson blood drive near you.

Excuse #5: I’m afraid of needles or I’m afraid of pain.

Facts: Trypanophobia, or an intense fear of needles, is quite common. No one likes being pricked with sharp objects.

But Vincent Durana, an officer with the Houston Police Department (and Christine’s husband), wasn’t about to let that stand in the way when his wife made an appointment for the two of them on Dec. 30, 2022.

“I’ve been afraid of needles since I was little,” he explains. “So I was worried that donating blood would be really painful. But when I finally did, it didn’t hurt at all. The pain I expected never happened.

The secret of Vincent’s success? “I just didn’t watch as they put the needle in,” he laughs.

Now Vincent is eager to donate blood again. He told his wife that he would donate alongside her, as soon as he was eligible, from now on.

“And I will proudly wear my blood donor t-shirt,” he adds. “My wife gave me one of hers before I donated, but I was hesitant to wear it because I felt like I didn’t deserve it. Now I have. I should have done this a long time ago.”

Excuse #6: I’m afraid I’ll pass out.

Facts: If you’ve ever become dizzy at the sight of blood, you’re not alone. The sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate that can cause fainting occurs for many reasons, including the sight of blood.

“No one is immune,” admits Martinez. “I know several doctors who fainted at the sight of blood, including myself once. And I had seen it thousands of times by then, both in medical school and in my practice. It’s very unpredictable.

To avoid feeling dizzy, Martinez suggests looking away while having your finger pricked to check iron levels, or, like Vincent, turn your head while the needle is inserted into your arm. You can also request that the insertion site be hidden with gauze so you don’t have to see it.

“If you already know what makes you feel weak, please tell our staff,” adds Martinez. “There are simple strategies we can use to reduce the risk of fainting. But one of the best ways to avoid it is to make sure you eat a hearty meal before you come to donate blood or platelets.

Excuse #7: They don’t need my blood type.

Facts: MD Anderson Blood bank needs each blood type for our cancer patients.

Why? Because some patients are more limited than others in terms of the blood types they can receive.

People with Rh-positive blood (A+, B+, AB+ and O+), for example, can receive Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood of their own type without any problems. But people whose blood lacks this same receptor (A-, B-, AB- and O-) can only receive blood from other Rh negative donors of this type.

People with AB+ blood type are considered “universal recipients” because they can receive any of the eight known blood types (A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+, AB-, O+ and O-).

“And O blood is considered ‘the universal donor’ because it can be given to anyone,” Martinez explains. “But only about 9% of the world’s population has it. And people with O blood can only receive blood from other Rh negative donors of this type. This puts O donors in very high demand.

Excuse #8: Other people donate, so I don’t need to.

Facts: MD Anderson cancer patients use about 200 units of whole blood and 600 units of platelets every day. It is 800 units of blood products for only a hospital system. Every 24 hours. When you step back and really consider these numbers, you’ll understand why the need for blood donations never stops.

“I know I should donate whenever I can,” admits Ross Robinsonwho learned he was O- in high school and donated double red blood cells to MD Anderson for almost three years. “Knowing that this helps cancer patients makes me feel even better.”

Make an appointment to donate blood at MD Anderson Blood bank.