Blood
It's in you to give
Today, went to give blood. This might seem like an insignificant event for you, but it’s a big deal for me. Let me tell you why.
For many years people with MS (and some other autoimmune disorders) couldn’t donate blood, mostly for safety. It wasn’t understood if the illness or the medications used to treat it could affect the donated blood. There are some medications that can pass into blood and so affect the donated blood, but rather than checking each medication, it was decided that if you had multiple sclerosis you couldn’t donate.
MS is not infectious. In most cases, it is safe for persons with MS to donate blood; but as with every donor, medications and other personal factors (medical conditions, travel, tattoos or piercings, and even if you’re feeling well the day you donate) are checked before you are cleared.
In 2015, shortly after I had been diagnosed with MS, I arranged a group blood donation with people at my work. I went into the clinic and had gone into a private room where they ask you many questions before you are given the green light to donate. When we got to the questions about medical conditions and I stated I had multiple sclerosis, everything I had said prior was moot. I was told I couldn’t donate because of my MS. I was so surprised; I didn’t understand why this was.
When I went through the stem cell transplant, one of the things they did every day was take my blood and run tests on it; my treatment was constantly adjusted based on the results. There were several occasions in which I required a blood transfusion. The thought often went through my mind that I was very fortunate that this was available to me, that I was benefiting from the kindness of a stranger.
It was only at the beginning of 2025 that persons with MS could donate blood and I’m so happy about it. When you think of donating blood you might picture a car crash victim in the ER and having to get a blood transfusion after loosing so much in an accident—which is true, and a totally valid reason to give blood. But I think of less dramatic situations, of someone in the hospital for their routine procedure (if you can call getting chemotherapy routine) and having to get a blood transfusion to keep them strong and healthy enough to continue with the treatment.
For these reasons, I’m very excited to donate blood. I’m happy that maybe I can help others in situations such as mine. After all, as per the Canadian Blood Services: It’s in you to give.
