A Lifesaving Gift: Becoming A Donor After Receiving Blood
A routine scooter ride took a drastic turn for Renate seven years ago. A car turning, missing her in its blind spot, left her with a fractured skull and a ruptured spleen. Her injuries required multiple blood transfusions, significantly impacting her life.
“It was absolute chaos at the hospital. They were focused on my head injury and then, as my condition worsened, they realized the spleen,” says Renate. “Luckily, there was a doctor present who was experienced in complex vascular surgery. The blood transfusions were crucial — I don’t know how many units I received, but it was a lot.” Her road to recovery was grueling, stretched out over months. “I have mild brain damage now. It means I struggle with stimuli and my memory isn’t what it used to be,” she explains. “I also experience chronic fatigue. I’ve learned to manage it, but it’s a part of my life now. I am incredibly grateful to be here. I know it could have been much worse.”
Forced on the Sidelines
To repay the gift of life she was given, Renate yearned to become a blood donor herself. The thought of helping others through a donation was deeply satisfying, but a frustrating rule stood in her way. Because she had received a transfusion, donation was off-limits.
“I felt deeply ashamed,” she admits. “I had never realized just by how vital donating blood was until I needed it myself. It opened my eyes to the selfless act.” Renate’s experience wasn’t unique. Many people who had received transfusions shared her desire to give back, but were systematically excluded.
A Change in Policy
The reasoning behind the rule stemmed from precautions taken over three decades prior. Marja van Wijk, a physician and medical policy advisor explains, “It was a measure to prevent the spread of Creutzfeldt-Jakob variant disease (vCJD) – a rare and fatal brain disease that was thought to be transmissible through blood.
The primary concern was that contaminated meat from cattle with BSE, sometimes referred to as ‘mad cow disease’ could taint the blood supply. There were no tests available to detect the disease in the blood. “The stringent requirement at the time was complete exclusion of anyone who had ever received a transfusion. This was precautionary,” says Dr. van Wijk.
But times have changed. Livestock have been eradicated through extensive testing and control measures. The sophistication of blood transfusion procedures ensures improved safety. Most significantly, vCJD cases have practically ceased: no new cases have been identified since 2016. These developments led to a reassessment of the donation policy. As”, explains Dr. van Wijk, “Since October 1, 2024, if someone received a blood transfusion due to an accident, or during childbirth, surgery, for example, they are eligible to donate – as long as the reason for the blood transfusion isn’t related to conditions like cancer hybrids.
Sharing the Gift
The new guidelines are monumental for people like Renate: those who have personally experienced the impact of receiving blood. Now, they have the chance to answer the call and contribute to saving lives. Almost immediately, Renate signed up to become a donor. She’s joining the ranks of individuals who understand the profound impact of a blood donation.
“I am so grateful to have the opportunity to repay the kindness given to me, the absolute life-saving gift they gave me. I can’t fully express how happy I am to be contributing. “
Your blood can be a lifeline for people like Renate. Learn more about becoming a donor
What advancements in science and technology allowed for a re-evaluation of the blood donation policy for recipients of transfusions?
## Giving Back the Gift of Life: Interview with Renate
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re discussing a topic close to many hearts – blood donation. Joining us is Renate, who knows firsthand the importance of this life-saving act. Renate, your story is truly inspiring.
**Renate:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Seven years ago, you were in a serious accident and needed multiple blood transfusions. Can you talk a little about that experience?
**Renate:** It was terrifying. The accident left me with a fractured skull, a ruptured spleen, and a long road to recovery. The doctors said I wouldn’t be here without the blood transfusions.
**Host:** That’s incredible. It sounds like those transfusions were truly a lifeline for you.
**Renate:** Absolutely. They saved my life.
**Host:** And that experience sparked in you a desire to become a blood donor yourself?
**Renate:** Definitely. I was eager to give back what had been given to me so generously. But there was a rule – I couldn’t donate because I had received a transfusion.
**Host:** This rule was in place to prevent the spread of vCJD – a rare brain disease.
[1](https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-process/what-happens-to-donated-blood/blood-transfusions/types-of-blood-transfusions.html)
**Host:** Right. Thankfully, advancements in science and technology have allowed for a re-evaluation of this policy. How does it feel to finally be able to donate?
**Renate:** It’s incredibly empowering. It felt so unfair to be excluded, especially knowing the need for blood donations is so great.
**Host:** It’s stories like yours, Renate, that push for change and show us the immense impact of blood donation. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
**Renate:** Thank you for having me.
