Donor eligibility restrictions in the interest of blood safety have eliminated some people from giving blood, but recent changes in the rules have the potential of bringing back many of these previously deferred donors.

HISTORY OF CANCER
One of the most significant changes concerns donors with a history of cancer. Until recently, blood donation criteria specified that donors with certain skin and cervical cancers could give blood but many other people with a history of cancer were ineligible. Patients who received chemotherapy in the treatment of their cancer were indefinitely barred from being blood donors.

New criteria as of July 1, 2003 now allows cancer patients treated by surgery, radiation or chemotherapy to give blood if there has been no recurrence in the past five years. Please call Donor Health at the American Red Cross Headquarters in Dedham, Massachusetts: (781) 461-2000 prior to donating.

Considering the number of people who have been treated for cancer and, in particular, have received chemotherapy, this is good news for the blood supply.

RESIDENCE IN A MALARIAL AREA
Another significant change is the fact that a donor can now have lived in a malarial area for up to five years - if it was more than three years ago - and still give blood. (Previously the acceptable length of residence was only one year).

POSITIVE ALT TEST/ELEVATED LIVER ENZYMES
Finally, blood donors who were indefinitely deferred for having elevated liver enzymes, as detected in the ALT test on donated blood, may now be re-entered into the Red Cross system. As of June 9, 2003 many of our donors who were deferred for high liver enzyme results (or elevated ALT or alanine aminotransferase levels) will be able to donate again to the New England Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services. Donor safety screening using the ALT test, which originally began in 1985, is now completely outmoded due to newer tests for Hepatitis C and other diseases. ALT testing is not required by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and nearly all U.S. blood centers have decided to discontinue it.

We have several thousand local donors to invite back. We will do this as quickly as possible to help boost our typically strained summer blood supply. Please note that in order to donate blood again, donors must not be deferred for other reasons and must past the donation vital signs and health history screens the day of their donations. These donors will be asked back in 2 stages:

1. Deferred on or after July 16, 1997 – A national Red Cross mailing was sent in July announcing the policy change and welcoming back these donors. If a high ALT was the only reason for deferral, these donors will be able to give the Gift of Life again by simply showing up at a blood drive.
2. Deferred before July 16, 1997 – The New England Blood Services Region will investigate each donor’s record and, if no other deferrals are in effect, send him or her an invitation to return. Without this research step and administrative clearance, these donors will NOT be able simply to show up at a drive and give. If a donor is eager to give again, he or she is encouraged to call our Donor Health Department at 1-800-462-9400 ext. 2120 and ask for a speedy removal of the ALT deferral. It should then take about four (4) weeks for all the Red Cross paperwork to clear.

For a complete listing of Blood Donor Eligibility Requirements, click here.

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