I can’t donate blood. As a child of British immigrants who spent a significant time living and eating beef in England and Scotland, I’m on the indefinite deferrals list due to possible exposure to CJD or VCJD. No one in my family can donate blood for this reason.

My dad was a 35 year blood donor and was shocked to learn he would be no longer allowed to donate due to the change in rules. He understood it but the fact that he occassionally got calls at home asking him to donate once the decision to bar him was made was a bit annoying.

Worse was the hospital having mom donate her own blood prior to surgery and then throwing out the blood when the rules were changed. Instead of having her own blood put back into her, she was given someone else’s blood. The reason they gave her was that her blood wouldn’t be safe for infusion. What? Like she could have infected herself with something through her blood that she didn’t already have?

I think that because of my mom’s experience and because I’ve spent more than 3 months (cummulative) in Britain between 1980 and 1996, the Canadian Blood Services “It’s in you to give” commercials always struck the wrong cord with me. Obviously it’s not in me to give 😉

Today I’ve learned that someone in my family can donate blood. According to the Edmonton Sun article Wanted: canine blood donors, my puppy may be eligable to donate blood. Don’t let my calling him a puppy fool you. He’s a 55+ lbs 2 year old bundle of fire. According to the article “To donate blood, dogs should be no less than 23 kg, between one and eight years old and in good health.” Due to the weight and age restrictions, our oldest dog isn’t eligable (40+ lbs and 8 years old) but I think we’ll look into whether or not the puppy would be a good donor candidate when we visit the vet for his bi-annual check-up in November.

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