Hello and thanks for your post

I'm afraid you can’t donate blood if you've had cancer. I realise this must be disappointing to read.

The UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation services have guidelines about who can donate blood. The guidelines state that you can’t donate blood if you have had cancer because there is a theoretical risk that a cancer cell could be passed on in the blood. There is no evidence to prove that this is possible. It is very much a safety measure. You can read more about this on our website . The NHS Blood and Transplant service has some further information on this.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards,

Celene