Blood Donation and Gorlin Syndrome

The statements below are approved by GSA's Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee:

Blood Donation and Gorlin syndrome

            There is always a tremendous need for blood donors (whole blood, platelets) across the world. We have asked a few members of the Gorlin Syndrome Alliance’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee to advise us on this. Here is what we have learned from them.

Prior to donating blood or blood products such as platelets, please discuss this your health care provider and local blood bank.  Eligibility depends on several factors which may include:

1. If there is a history of cancer, the ability to donate depends on the type of cancer and treatment history. If you had leukemia or lymphoma, including Hodgkin’s Disease and other cancers of the blood, you may not be eligible to donate, or there may be a 5 year deferral.  Other types of cancer are acceptable if the cancer has been treated successfully and it has been more than 12 months since treatment was completed, and there has been no cancer recurrence in this time. Lower risk in-situ cancers including squamous or basal cell cancers of the skin that have been completely removed and healed do not require a 12-month waiting period. 
2. Certain medications may prevent one from donating blood.

For example, if you are taking Erivedge (vismodegib) or Odomzo (sonidegib), you are not allowed to donate blood and cannot do so for 24 months after discontinuing these medications.

There is no FDA requirement for cancer deferral from donating blood per se. It is a requirement to feel “well and healthy”.