Hemochromatosis is a disorder that interferes with iron metabolism, and results in excess iron deposits throughout the body.  The goal of treatment is to remove excess iron from the body through the removal of blood from the body (referred to as therapeutic phlebotomy). The amount of blood, and the frequency with which the blood is removed from the body, is determined by the patient’s physician on a case-by-case basis.
In 2006 with a physician’s prescription, MKBC obtained an FDA variance to draw blood from patients with hemochromatosis and distribute for transfusion.  These individuals are able to undergo their blood removal treatments, while also contributing to our community’s blood supply, as it is very safe to transfuse these blood products to hospital patients. These donors must qualify in every other was as volunteer community blood donors.
For more information on this process, call MKBC at 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667) and ask to speak with someone in our Special Collections department.