I have donated blood for several decades. Recently I have been donating every 56 days which is the minimum delay between donations. I am a universal donor, O negative. It takes only 60 minutes and I suffer no after effects; it seems a simple way to help others. The nurses at Canadian Blood Services tell me that my O negative blood goes directly to the Sick Kids Hospital.
April 2006 – I have been told to wait until after my brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer before I give again.
April 2007 – I have been told that I can’t donate again now that I have had cancer. The nurse was very sympathetic and told me she wasn’t able to give for the same reason.