In 1971, at age 23, I received 7 units of blood because of a very difficult complication of childbirth in Ontario. Fortunately our baby and I survived and thrived. Once I recovered and was eligible, I decided to become a blood donor. I donated regularly in Ontario and Alberta.
From 1979 through 1984, and again from 1990 to 1991, our family lived in Saudi Arabia, where I also donated blood at a hospital. This process involved more than 2 hours of travel by bus (as a woman, I was not permitted to drive in the country) but I was committed to the process – especially as I understood there were often not enough donors.
Back in Canada I continued to donate regularly, eventually making it beyond 100 donations. My husband and grown kids were donors, too. But then, in 2011, my husband and two of our adult children became ineligible. The reason was our time in Saudi Arabia, and a concern about the risk of transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease through blood. I understood that Canadian Blood Services was committed to maintaining a safe blood supply but it was also very disappointing to have to stop donating. Every time I saw or heard ads urging blood donation, I encouraged others to do it.
Then in November 2023, I learned that the restriction affecting us had actually been lifted! I immediately contacted Canadian Blood Services and was reinstated as a donor at age 75. I donated immediately, on November 15, and plan to continue doing so as long as I am able.
I became a donor because 52 years ago I received blood. Needing blood when I did, for the reasons I did, was very unexpected for me, and was a shock to my family and friends as well.
I have been fortunate to enjoy good health, but I know that nothing can be taken for granted. The need for blood donors continues.
Editor's note: Important updates to eligibility criteria related to vCJD were made in 2022 (including the criteria affecting people who had spent time in Saudi Arabia). More major updates were announced in November 2023, which could mean thousands more people across Canada will likely become eligible to donate starting Dec. 4, 2023. Learn more and book an appointment if you can.
