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Organ/Blood Donation Possible?
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Organ/Blood Donation Possible?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Organ/Blood Donation Possible?

  • Post
    • February 24, 2016 at 1:39 am
    jennunicorn
    Participant

      Something that just randomly popped in my head today is… can I ever be a blood or organ donor now having stage 3b melanoma? I have always had the organ donor selected on my driver's license. And I have donated blood in the past. Wondering if anyone else has had this question answered by their doctors? And should I call DMV to have organ donation taken off my license? I would hate to think that if anything happened to me that my organs couldn't be used to save a life, that really sucks, but of course I would never want to give someone else cancer. I guess they could still be donated for science? Sorry to be kind of morbid, it's just always been a really big thing for me to have that option.

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 24, 2016 at 1:56 am
        jamieth29
        Participant
          I am pretty sure…although not 100% but believe you cannot do either after being diagnosed with cancer. I have read a article about a organ transplant from a melanoma patient that had been free of disease for 18 years. The organ recipient developed melanoma that was believed to be from organ transplant. I can’t remember where that article came from although.
          • February 24, 2016 at 1:56 am
          jamieth29
          Participant
            I am pretty sure…although not 100% but believe you cannot do either after being diagnosed with cancer. I have read a article about a organ transplant from a melanoma patient that had been free of disease for 18 years. The organ recipient developed melanoma that was believed to be from organ transplant. I can’t remember where that article came from although.
            • February 24, 2016 at 1:56 am
            jamieth29
            Participant
              I am pretty sure…although not 100% but believe you cannot do either after being diagnosed with cancer. I have read a article about a organ transplant from a melanoma patient that had been free of disease for 18 years. The organ recipient developed melanoma that was believed to be from organ transplant. I can’t remember where that article came from although.
              • February 24, 2016 at 2:04 am
              Bubbles
              Participant

                Hey Jenny,

                No. Nope. Absolutely not!!!!  I was an avid blood donor…planned to donate everything else.  But NO!!!!  There has been actually one case when a liver recipient gained a liver and melanoma in one fell swoop….back in the day.  So….no.  Oh well….live large….cause we've lost that one!!  celeste

                • February 24, 2016 at 2:04 am
                Bubbles
                Participant

                  Hey Jenny,

                  No. Nope. Absolutely not!!!!  I was an avid blood donor…planned to donate everything else.  But NO!!!!  There has been actually one case when a liver recipient gained a liver and melanoma in one fell swoop….back in the day.  So….no.  Oh well….live large….cause we've lost that one!!  celeste

                  • February 24, 2016 at 2:04 am
                  Bubbles
                  Participant

                    Hey Jenny,

                    No. Nope. Absolutely not!!!!  I was an avid blood donor…planned to donate everything else.  But NO!!!!  There has been actually one case when a liver recipient gained a liver and melanoma in one fell swoop….back in the day.  So….no.  Oh well….live large….cause we've lost that one!!  celeste

                    • February 24, 2016 at 2:07 am
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      I believe blood donation is possible after two years NED, the Red Cross has changed their guidelines in the last couple of years.  Organ donation is not a good choice.  Basically, organ recipients must take immunosuppressants to not reject the organ, and melanoma is very tied to the immune system.  So even if you are NED and your body is keeping melanoma under control, in a immune suppressed body, those melanoma cells may multiply.  In general, any person who takes drugs that suppress the immune system has a higher risk of melanoma.  So for the safety of the recipient, organ donation is not wise.

                      • February 24, 2016 at 2:07 am
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        I believe blood donation is possible after two years NED, the Red Cross has changed their guidelines in the last couple of years.  Organ donation is not a good choice.  Basically, organ recipients must take immunosuppressants to not reject the organ, and melanoma is very tied to the immune system.  So even if you are NED and your body is keeping melanoma under control, in a immune suppressed body, those melanoma cells may multiply.  In general, any person who takes drugs that suppress the immune system has a higher risk of melanoma.  So for the safety of the recipient, organ donation is not wise.

                          • February 24, 2016 at 2:14 am
                          spiderman
                          Participant

                            The following is from the Red Cross web site regarding blood donation eligibility:

                            Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed do not require a 12 month waiting period.

                            • February 24, 2016 at 2:14 am
                            spiderman
                            Participant

                              The following is from the Red Cross web site regarding blood donation eligibility:

                              Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed do not require a 12 month waiting period.

                              • February 24, 2016 at 2:14 am
                              spiderman
                              Participant

                                The following is from the Red Cross web site regarding blood donation eligibility:

                                Eligibility depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you are not eligible to donate. Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed do not require a 12 month waiting period.

                              • February 24, 2016 at 2:07 am
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                I believe blood donation is possible after two years NED, the Red Cross has changed their guidelines in the last couple of years.  Organ donation is not a good choice.  Basically, organ recipients must take immunosuppressants to not reject the organ, and melanoma is very tied to the immune system.  So even if you are NED and your body is keeping melanoma under control, in a immune suppressed body, those melanoma cells may multiply.  In general, any person who takes drugs that suppress the immune system has a higher risk of melanoma.  So for the safety of the recipient, organ donation is not wise.

                                • February 24, 2016 at 4:23 am
                                jennunicorn
                                Participant

                                  Thanks for all the responses guys! That's what I figured was the case, makes a lot of sense that organ donation would be off the table. As my significant other just said, "I plan on having you around long enough that no one will want your old wrinkly organs anyway" 🙂 

                                  • February 24, 2016 at 4:23 am
                                  jennunicorn
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks for all the responses guys! That's what I figured was the case, makes a lot of sense that organ donation would be off the table. As my significant other just said, "I plan on having you around long enough that no one will want your old wrinkly organs anyway" 🙂 

                                      • February 24, 2016 at 6:23 am
                                      Kare83
                                      Participant

                                        Good question!! I just called Red Cross (Australia) and was told after Stage 1 melanoma I can't donate blood for 5 years. If I have another melanoma within that 5 years then it will be longer, depending on the stage. I'm not sure about organ donations though.. I should look at that as I'm a donor on my drivers licence.

                                        • February 24, 2016 at 6:23 am
                                        Kare83
                                        Participant

                                          Good question!! I just called Red Cross (Australia) and was told after Stage 1 melanoma I can't donate blood for 5 years. If I have another melanoma within that 5 years then it will be longer, depending on the stage. I'm not sure about organ donations though.. I should look at that as I'm a donor on my drivers licence.

                                          • February 24, 2016 at 5:21 pm
                                          jennunicorn
                                          Participant

                                            It looks like organ donation is off the table, I just went onto my state's donors list website to take my name off, I definitely would not want anyone getting a new organ to save their life only to end up with cancer and having to fight that. Blood donation times seem to be about the same here in the states, which is nice. 

                                            • February 24, 2016 at 5:21 pm
                                            jennunicorn
                                            Participant

                                              It looks like organ donation is off the table, I just went onto my state's donors list website to take my name off, I definitely would not want anyone getting a new organ to save their life only to end up with cancer and having to fight that. Blood donation times seem to be about the same here in the states, which is nice. 

                                              • June 15, 2017 at 6:36 pm
                                              cfmom09
                                              Participant

                                                As a vocal advocate for organ donation on behalf of my daughter, please, please, please re-register as an organ donor. If nothing else, your corneas can help people. Medical professionals can and will make the call. Please don't remove your name off the registry! If you did already, like I said, please re-register. (RegisterMe.org)

                                                • February 24, 2016 at 5:21 pm
                                                jennunicorn
                                                Participant

                                                  It looks like organ donation is off the table, I just went onto my state's donors list website to take my name off, I definitely would not want anyone getting a new organ to save their life only to end up with cancer and having to fight that. Blood donation times seem to be about the same here in the states, which is nice. 

                                                  • February 24, 2016 at 6:23 am
                                                  Kare83
                                                  Participant

                                                    Good question!! I just called Red Cross (Australia) and was told after Stage 1 melanoma I can't donate blood for 5 years. If I have another melanoma within that 5 years then it will be longer, depending on the stage. I'm not sure about organ donations though.. I should look at that as I'm a donor on my drivers licence.

                                                  • February 24, 2016 at 4:23 am
                                                  jennunicorn
                                                  Participant

                                                    Thanks for all the responses guys! That's what I figured was the case, makes a lot of sense that organ donation would be off the table. As my significant other just said, "I plan on having you around long enough that no one will want your old wrinkly organs anyway" 🙂 

                                                    • February 24, 2016 at 11:27 pm
                                                    WithinMySkin
                                                    Participant
                                                      Wow, this is a great question. I love this forum because of questions/info like this from people who know! Thanks everyone!
                                                      • February 24, 2016 at 11:27 pm
                                                      WithinMySkin
                                                      Participant
                                                        Wow, this is a great question. I love this forum because of questions/info like this from people who know! Thanks everyone!
                                                          • February 29, 2016 at 3:15 am
                                                          RickO
                                                          Participant

                                                            I was a regular blood donor prior to getting an in situ melanoma diagnosis. After the diagnosis I researched this question from the blood center I use and I have to be clear for 10 years before I'm eligible to donate again.

                                                            I've personally decided that I'm not willing to put someone at risk, even if it's very small by donating again, even past the 10 year mark. 

                                                             

                                                             

                                                            • February 29, 2016 at 3:15 am
                                                            RickO
                                                            Participant

                                                              I was a regular blood donor prior to getting an in situ melanoma diagnosis. After the diagnosis I researched this question from the blood center I use and I have to be clear for 10 years before I'm eligible to donate again.

                                                              I've personally decided that I'm not willing to put someone at risk, even if it's very small by donating again, even past the 10 year mark. 

                                                               

                                                               

                                                              • February 29, 2016 at 3:15 am
                                                              RickO
                                                              Participant

                                                                I was a regular blood donor prior to getting an in situ melanoma diagnosis. After the diagnosis I researched this question from the blood center I use and I have to be clear for 10 years before I'm eligible to donate again.

                                                                I've personally decided that I'm not willing to put someone at risk, even if it's very small by donating again, even past the 10 year mark. 

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                              • February 24, 2016 at 11:27 pm
                                                              WithinMySkin
                                                              Participant
                                                                Wow, this is a great question. I love this forum because of questions/info like this from people who know! Thanks everyone!
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