Giving blood is practically painless, takes about an hour and can save up to three lives. If you have been diagnosed with vCJD, CJD or any other TSE or have a blood relative diagnosed with genetic CJD (e.g., fCJD, GSS, or FFI) you cannot donate. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. All rights reserved. For example, if you take aspirin products on Monday, the soonest you can donate platelets is Thursday. The blood units removed therapeutically may be made available for transfusion into others if the donor (the hemochromatosis subject) meets standard blood donor eligibility criteria. If you have traveled outside of the United States and Canada, your travel destinations will be reviewed at the time of donation. Hereditary hemochromatosis isn't the only type of hemochromatosis. The medicine can be injected into your body, or it can be taken as a pill. If you are receiving antibiotics for a positive TB skin test or blood test only or if you are being treated for a tuberculosis infection, wait until treatment is successfully completed before donating. However, you must be off of aspirin for at least 2 full days in order to donate platelets by apheresis. Discuss your particular situation with your personal healthcare provider and the health historian at the time of donation. The Red Cross recommends that all donors eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet that contains foods rich in iron and high in vitamin C. Donors should also avoid foods that may block the absorption of iron in your body. Acceptable if you were vaccinated witha non-replicating, inactivated, or RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer providing you are symptom-free and fever-free. He started his own business and enjoyed more time at home with his family. other information we have about you. Women on hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis are eligible to donate. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.