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 is the potential impact of this policy change on the blood supply and who does it allow to contribute?
## Interview with Renate and Dr. van Wijk: A Lifesaving Gift – Giving Back After Receiving
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing the life-changing impact of blood donation, both for recipients and aspiring donors. We have two guests joining us: Renate, whose life was saved by blood transfusions seven years ago, and Dr. Marja van Wijk, a physician and medical policy advisor. Renate, let’s start with you. Can you tell us about your experience receiving blood transfusions and what it meant for you?
**Renate:** It all happened so fast. A car accident left me with a fractured skull and a ruptured spleen. I needed multiple blood transfusions, which honestly felt like a lifeline.
They literally saved my life. It was a grueling recovery, but thanks to those life-saving donations, I’m here today.
**Host:** It sounds like it was a very difficult time, but you came through it. And from then on, you wanted to become a donor yourself.
**Renate:** Absolutely. Seeing how crucial those donations were for me really opened my eyes to the power of giving blood. It becomes deeply personal. I wanted to give back, to help someone else the way I was helped.
**Host:** So, what was it like when you found out that weren’t allowed to donate?
**Renate:** Devastated, honestly. It felt like I had this huge desire to repay the gift I was given, but I wasn’t allowed to. It was incredibly frustrating, especially because I knew other people who felt the same way.
**Host:** Dr. van Wijk, you’re a medical policy advisor. Can you explain the reasoning behind this past policy of excluding people who received transfusions from donating?
**Dr. van Wijk:** This policy was put in place over 30 years ago to prevent the spread of Creutzfeldt-Jakob variant disease (vCJD), a very rare and fatal brain disease. There were concerns about possible transmission through blood transfusions, linked to contaminated meat products. [[1](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2808290)]
**Host:** And did the science evolve to the point where these concerns were no longer valid?
**Dr. van Wijk:** Yes, thankfully.
The advancements in our understanding of the disease and advancements in testing have led to a reassessment of the policy.
**Host:** That’s wonderful news for people like Renate who are eager to give back. How does this new policy impact the blood supply?
**Dr. van Wijk:** This change has the potential to significantly expand the pool of eligible donors, which is incredibly important in ensuring a safe and sustainable blood supply.
It allows individuals like Renate to contribute,
who deeply feel this desire to help others.
**Host:** Renate, are you planning to donate now that this policy has changed?
**Renate:** Absolutely! It means so much to me. This is truly a second chance to pay it forward and make a difference in someone else’s life.
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your insights. This change in policy highlights the ongoing evolution of medical science and the importance of inclusivity in healthcare. It’s truly inspiring to see individuals like Renate ready to give back after experiencing the life-saving power of blood donations.
