The guidelines say that you can’t donate blood if you have had cancer because there is a theoretical risk that a cancer cell could be passed on in the blood. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/bloodsafety/bbp/bacterial-contamination-of-platelets.html on June 20, 2016.Eder A. Tax ID Number: 13-1788491. It is very much a safety measure. If you're taking antibiotics, you must complete the course before donating. It’s also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early.Whether you want to learn about treatment options, get advice on coping with side effects, or have questions about health insurance, we’re here to help. Most medications do not prevent you from donating blood. Accessed at www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements on June 20, 2016.American Red Cross. In: Eder A, Bianco C, eds. This is done partly to protect the donor, but it may also add an extra margin of safety for the person who receives the blood. Eligibility Criteria: Alphabetical. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. It is very much a safety measure.There are exceptions. )Potential donors whose cancers had not spread (in situ cancers) and required no further treatment besides surgery to remove the cancer may need to wait only until they’ve healed from their surgery and feel well again to donate blood.If you have questions about whether you can donate, please contact the blood collecting center in your community.Some cancer survivors may find these precautions frustrating. What cancer patients, their families, and caregivers need to know about the Whether you or someone you love has cancer, knowing what to expect can help you cope. Donating Blood: Eligibility Guidelines. From basic information about cancer and its causes to in-depth information on specific cancer types – including risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment options – you’ll find it here.You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active and not smoking. For reprint requests, please see our Cancer Information, Answers, and Hope. American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. There are exceptions. There is no evidence to prove that this is possible. A possible exception might be in transfusion recipients with weakened immune systems, who might not be able to fight off the cancer cells. Available Every Minute of Every Day.© 2020 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. Morris-Stiff G, Steel A, Savage P, et al. A literature review. Donating blood is a crucial service to the medical field, as millions of people need fresh, healthy blood every day but don’t always have access to it. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family. Together, we’re making a difference – and you can, too. You can still travel to donate. You may be able to donate blood if you:Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK Please keep donating. Blood Donors with a history of cancer. Learn more about these partnerships and how you too can join us in our mission to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.At the American Cancer Society, we’re on a mission to free the world from cancer. And if you need to cancel your appointment please give us 3 days' notice so that we can offer the space to another donor. We’ve invested more than $4.9 billion in cancer research since 1946, all to find more – and better – treatments, uncover factors that may cause cancer, and improve cancer patients’ quality of life.We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers and donors.