Blood center changes donor criteria

Those who have diabetes can now donate, regardless of how the disease is controlled. Those who have had certain types of cancer can donate after a waiting period, including breast, thyroid, cervical, prostate and skin cancers. And, a person who has had a heart attack can donate after a six month waiting period.

“A lot has changed in the area of the medications you can take and donate blood,” CBCO Marketing Manager Chris Pilgrim said. “We used to have to defer you for medications, but for most, it’s now all right to donate.”

Pilgrim said until now, the center had more strict criteria than the Food and Drug Administration requires. Blood donation centers across the country have always gone by FDA guidelines that allow most people to donate, he said.

“We decided to come more in line with what the rest of the country requires,” he said. “We do still have strict standards, and the blood supply is still safe. The FDA standards are still the safest, highest standards of anywhere in the world.”

Pilgrim asks that those who are unsure if they’re able to donate blood should contact the center at (417) 227-5000 or at www.cbco.org.