Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic condition where the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to various symptoms. Many people living with MS wish to donate blood, but eligibility depends heavily on their individual health status and current medical treatments. The answer is not a simple yes or no.
Current Eligibility Status for Blood Donors with MS
The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis itself does not automatically disqualify an individual from donating blood in the United States. Major organizations, such as the American Red Cross, permit donations from individuals with MS, provided they meet all other standard donor criteria. This policy is based on the consensus that MS is an autoimmune condition and is not transmissible through blood or blood products.
Eligibility is not universal, however, as some national blood services, including those in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, prohibit donations from people with MS. Their reasoning centers on caution because the exact cause of the disease is still not fully understood. For those in the U.S., the ability to donate hinges entirely on meeting rigorous health and wellness checks on the day of the procedure.
Donor Health and Disease Activity Requirements
A person with MS must be in a state of stable health to be considered an eligible blood donor. Blood centers define “stable” as being free from active symptoms or recent relapses that required treatment. The primary concern is the safety and well-being of the donor, as the temporary loss of fluid volume from donation can sometimes exacerbate existing MS symptoms.
Any donor experiencing a relapse, involving new or worsening neurological symptoms, is immediately deferred until they have fully recovered. Severe MS-related fatigue is also a reason for deferral, as the process can be physically taxing. A donor must feel completely well on the day of the appointment and not be experiencing any acute illness.
MS Medication and Treatment Deferral Periods
The most common reason for deferral among individuals with MS is the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and other immunosuppressant medications. These drugs are used to treat the condition, but their presence in donated blood could pose a risk to the transfusion recipient. Medications with teratogenic properties, which can cause birth defects, require extended deferral periods to ensure recipient safety.
For example, the oral MS medication teriflunomide (Aubagio) requires a mandatory two-year deferral period after the last dose. Certain immunosuppressive therapies, such as mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept), necessitate a six-week waiting period due to concerns about passing altered immune components. Monoclonal antibody treatments and other potent immune modulators also require significant deferral periods that can range from months to years. Donors must bring a complete list of all current and recently stopped medications to the donation center for review, and should never stop taking prescribed medications solely to donate blood.
Specific Requirements for Different Types of Donation
Eligibility rules differ depending on the type of donation, such as whole blood versus component donation. Whole blood donation is the most straightforward, requiring the donor to meet basic stability and medication criteria. Component donations, including platelet, plasma, or double red cell donation through apheresis, often involve stricter requirements.
Apheresis procedures are more time-consuming and physically demanding, requiring stricter adherence to the “stable and well” criteria to protect the donor. Furthermore, certain medications that do not defer a whole blood donation, such as anti-platelet agents, can prevent platelet donation because the drug affects the collected component. All donors with MS planning any form of donation must consult directly with the blood center staff to confirm eligibility based on their specific health profile and treatment regimen.