I'm a person who has been saved by transfusions. And yes, I think they have some pretty ridiculous rules. First of all, if they're looking for a disease, they should tell you which one it is, so that you can go get tested for it and have a card or something you can give them saying, "I don't have this obscure disease, go for it."

They also claim they test the blood after you donate anyway, so what does it matter???

I am also banned from giving blood. I had severe aenemia (to the point where I needed 3 transfusions and intravenious iron treatments)

I wonder if it's because it would make me an "indian giver?" (no offence to any indians out there, I don't know what the PC term is.)