Can I Donate Blood If I Have Crohns?

Canada: The Canadian Blood Services 8  will not accept people who have Crohn’s disease as blood donors. Ulcerative colitis isn’t specifically listed as being an illness that prevents a person from giving blood.

Most people with Crohns are anemic as well. Both the Red Cross & Dana Farber will not allow people with Crohn‘s to donate. Both told me I would no longer be able to donate.

It will not be possible for you to give blood donations if you have Crohn’s Disease or have had this condition diagnosed in the past. The cause of this condition is not yet certain and giving blood may adversely affect your health. And for UC Ulcerative colitis – I have ulcerative colitis. Can I donate?

I was on the Canadian donor list for bone marrow. About a year after being diagnosed with Crohns I received a very nice letter from them, informing me they had to remove my name from their donor list. I just assumed, it would be the same for donating blood so haven’t been since then. The drugs are too toxic anyway.

Some doctors advise patients with illnesses, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes, against donating blood. This is mostly because of medications they are taking and sometimes because of surgical implants.

The American Red Cross doesn’t have any specific information listed about IBD and eligibility but does state that people with a chronic illness may be able to donate provided “you feel well, the condition is under control, and you meet all other eligibility requirements.”