I have had cancer. Can I donate?

Yes. In most cases, you can donate if you remain free of cancer at least twelve months after completing treatment and are able to provide written confirmation from your treating doctor that treatment has been completed and you are considered to be in remission/cancer free. This is to protect your own health by ensuring, as far as possible, that the cancer is gone and won’t recur.

For some cancers or pre-cancers of the skin (excluding melanomas), carcinoma in situ (CIN and CIS) of the cervix, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) of the prostate, or ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS) of the breast, you may be eligible to donate as soon as treatment is complete and you have recovered from this treatment.

However, if you have a history of leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma, which involve the blood production system, you can't donate blood. It’s to protect your health and the health of patients who receive donated blood.

Don't be disappointed though, because there are other ways you can help.