I have been a big supporter of the American Red Cross for many years, attending fund raising events and spending money to help others. I hate to say it, but that all changed when I went to a recent blood drive and had my blood refused. I know, this is confusing, because that is what the American Red Cross does, right? I have a fairly rare blood disorder called Hemochromotosis. My body doesn't break down iron. It means that one a month I head in and give my pint donation and then feeling good about myself, move on. I had been donating to a private firm and decided that I would start donating to the American Red Cross as that would help my community at large. Imagine my surprise when I was told at the Red Cross that people suffering from hemochromotosis could not donate blood because it benefited them to do so. I honestly thought they were joking and said that I thought the American Red Cross had been originally set up to "Benefit" the American People. They weren't laughing.
Hemochromotosis affects 1 in 200 Americans. The American Red Cross has turned their backs on helping close to 1.6 million Americans and has given up nearly 800,000 gallons of iron rich blood a year to follow old doctrine established decades ago. When I say old doctrine, I am supporting this with statements from both the American Medical Association and the FDA. Both of which state that using the blood from donors with hemochromotosis posses no danger to the recipients and, in fact, benefits those with anemia.
The fact that we are the last country in the world that allows this type of , dare I say it, discrimination, against people with hemochromotosis, speaks volumes.