Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...

710 Members

7,267 Posts

0 Online

smathie2 09/29/2010

I was just told I will never be able to donate blood because I have Crohn's disease. I have been in remission and without medication for over a year. I am no longer anemic and have no pain.... However I was just put on a list that says I will never be able to donate blood. EVER.

I just want to know why can't I donate? What is wrong with my blood?

deleted_user 09/29/2010

Interesting. I just started donating, and a month later was diagnosed with Crohns. they didn't have any problem taking my blood when my diagnosis was UC??? Weird. I'm not eligible yet, not met the 60 days or whatever it is - but I've been wondering.

smathie2 09/29/2010

I have been blacklisted by Canadian blood services.

deleted_user 09/29/2010

I've got UC... but I don't think it's THAT different. I've asked specifically and I was told I would be able to donate blood as long as I wasn't anemic or on any sort of steroidal medication. So if you're no longer on meds, I don't know why it would be a problem. I would ask for another opinion... and let us know what you find so that we don't donate if there really is something wrong with our blood :-/

smathie2 09/29/2010

I just called Canadian blood services, and was told that donating blood can cause a Crohn's flare up.

deleted_user 09/29/2010

I have crhohns and have been donating for years. Perhaps it has to do with the medications you are taking. For example, if someone is on a TNF blocker or Methotrexate, Im not too sure I would want that blood.

If you have only been told this by one person, seek out a supervisor for more details.

deleted_user 09/30/2010

I have never really considered donating blood, due to being anemic most of my life; however I have wondered about whether someone with long-standing Crohn's could donate organs. Does anyone know? Obviously no one would want my intestines, but there's nothing wrong with my heart or lungs.

deleted_user 09/30/2010

I can't donate plasma, which is similar. Was kinda sad to be losing out on the 50 bucks a week for sitting in a chair.

deleted_user 09/30/2010

In Australia, Crohns and UC patients are banned from donating due to the ambiguus nature of the disease. As nobody knows for certain how the disease develops, they believe it best not to put our blood into other people as a safety precaution.

deleted_user 10/02/2010

Since 6mp shut down my liver and kidneys, giving me hepatitis, I will never be able to donate again. I was 1 pint from 3 gallons!

Akie 10/09/2010

I used to donate blood and platelets but since my dx of Crohn's and the crappy meds I'm on, I decided it best to stop. I was never told that I couldn't though. And interesting thought on the organ donation, I'll have to ask my doc.

deleted_user 10/29/2010

The antibodies you may carry (C-ANCA and P-ANCA) could potentially harm a plasma donation recipient. There are research studies that may be able to use your plasma, and they often pay considerably more than healthy donor programs ($400 / donation for example).

Check out www.idonateplasma.com for regularly updating listing of these researchers studies, .

Join the Conversation