Reply From Red Cross Donating/ Receiving

[Lisa16]

Hi everybody!

I got this reply today from the red cross about donating and receiving blood. I also asked about organ and tissue donation, but they do not do that. I will ask the organization she referred me to and post the response once I hear from them.

Subject: Blood Donation

Size: 9 KB

Hi Lisa,

Those who have celiac disease may donate blood if, on the day of donation, they are feeling well and healthy.

You asked if donated blood is screened for gliadin. The answer is no, it is not. If a person with celiac disease needs to receive a transfusion, to the best of our knowledge, they are transfused from the community blood supply.

You asked about organ and tissue donation. Red Cross just deals with blood, not tissues or organs. The organization that deals with donated tissue and organs is called Lifesource (www.life-source.org)

To answer your questions, I consulted with one of our Assistant Medical Directors (a blood services physician). I also checked the internet for this topic. There is some information at the site www.about.com (search celiac disease blood transfusion). You may want to have a look. This is not a Red Cross site.

[Gemini]

Hi everybody!

I got this reply today from the red cross about donating and receiving blood. I also asked about organ and tissue donation, but they do not do that. I will ask the organization she referred me to and post the response once I hear from them.

Subject: Blood Donation

Size: 9 KB

Hi Lisa,

Those who have celiac disease may donate blood if, on the day of donation, they are feeling well and healthy.

You asked if donated blood is screened for gliadin. The answer is no, it is not. If a person with celiac disease needs to receive a transfusion, to the best of our knowledge, they are transfused from the community blood supply.

You asked about organ and tissue donation. Red Cross just deals with blood, not tissues or organs. The organization that deals with donated tissue and organs is called Lifesource (www.life-source.org)

To answer your questions, I consulted with one of our Assistant Medical Directors (a blood services physician). I also checked the internet for this topic. There is some information at the site www.about.com (search celiac disease blood transfusion). You may want to have a look. This is not a Red Cross site.

Remember that gluten has to enter the gut and small intestine to provoke a response so blood donating and receiving, plus tissue and organ donation are all safe!

You can also receive meds through an IV and they do not have to be gluten-free, although the vast majority are.

[raisin]

If I'm not mistaken, there have been many disputes to the theory that nothing but consumption can trigger a reaction in all celiacs.