This is not the FDA restricting the blood from HH positive people; they allow it. This is 100% the red cross and their stupid politics. here's a direct quote from the red cross website:
The American Red Cross, which controls about 45% of the nation's blood supply, does not currently accept donations from people with known hemochromatosis. Everyone agrees that the blood is safe and of high quality. There is no risk of passing on a genetic disease through blood transfusions. But the Red Cross has a long-standing policy that potential donors are not allowed to receive direct compensation for their donation (beyond the usual orange juice and cookie). Because people with hemochromatosis would otherwise have to pay for their therapeutic phlebotomies, they would in effect be getting something of value for being able to donate for free. Thus the Red Cross has ruled that such donations violate their policy.BS! If I had an alternative way to give blood and have it go to a blood bank I totally would. I estimate that I will be prescribed to give blood between 4 and 8 times a year for the rest of my life!! That's a lot of blood for people who might need it.
See if you have any alternatives to the Red Cross to give blood in your area, and also, encourage them to accept blood from hemochromatosis patients if they don't already.
