When I attempted to donate blood to Blood Assurance several years ago, I was
rebuffed because I was a cancer survivor, even though I had no sign of the
disease for over 12 years at
the time. What was strange is my contacts elsewhere in the medical community
told me
my blood should be acceptable.

I'm now past the 21 year mark as a cancer survivor and Blood Assurance
informed me today
that my blood is acceptable. Perhaps this note will
encourage others previously rejected to give them
another call.

Ken Dryden

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Whittle" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 9:16 AM
Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] Blood donations


> > BLOOD ASSURANCE ISSUES CALL FOR DONORS
>
> We are always hearing that there is a shortage of blood.  My wife and I
> have been blood donors for many years, but are now banned from donating in
> the USA.  Why?  Because we have spent more than 6 months in England since
1980.
> There is NO EVIDENCE that mad cow disease can be spread by blood
donations,
> and the incidence of this disease in the British population is vanishingly
> small, but this silly rule has been put in place, thus disqualifying tens
> of thousands of prospective donors.
>
> Just thought you would like to know!
>
> Mike Whittle
>
> Michael W. Whittle, MD, PhD
> Cline Chair of Rehabilitation Technology
> The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
> 615 McCallie Avenue
> Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA
> Phone: +1-423-755-4046
> Fax: +1-423-785-2215
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Website: http://cecasun.utc.edu/~mwhittle/Whittle.htm