Red Cross to offer free blood tests on diabetes for blood donors

Thursday 18th December, 04:49 AM JST

TOKYO —

The Japanese Red Cross Society said Wednesday it will provide blood donors with a free blood test from March to see whether they are suspected of having diabetes. The society said it wants to curb falls in the number of blood donors by expanding the area of its free blood testing to a disease whose patients are growing amid the Westernization of Japan’s dietary patterns.

Since 1982, the society has offered free blood tests on hepatic functions and cholesterol for blood donors across the country. ‘‘Blood donors have requested free blood tests for diabetes,’’ a Japanese Red Cross Society official said. ‘‘It is useful to undergo tests on a regular basis to prevent the disease, and we want the public to make use of the new service for better health control.’’

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7 Comments

saborichan at 08:47 AM JST - 18th December

Red Cross to offer free blood tests FOR diabetes TO blood donors ?
hereandthere at 09:14 AM JST - 18th December

a single blood test will do nothing... but it seems according to the news reports everyone here in Japan is suspected of having diabetes... "we are metabo~!"
BlackFlag at 12:47 PM JST - 18th December

being British the Red Cross won't touch my blood with a 10 foot pole. yatta!
cleo at 01:01 PM JST - 18th December

Many many years ago I once did a spot on local telly encouraging people to give blood. And I got a little badge for being a regular donor before they decided Brit blood was contaminated with BSE. And me a vegetarian and all.
nandakandamanda at 01:06 PM JST - 18th December

Are we to assume that they check the blood for AIDS, leukemia, etc., and that this news is about a further test that they conduct just for extra security?
cleo at 01:44 PM JST - 18th December

this news is about a further test that they conduct just for extra security?

Last I heard diabetes wasn't a transmittable disease.
Nessie at 02:12 PM JST - 18th December

Last I heard diabetes wasn't a transmittable disease.

It's an STD, Cleo: you can catch it from your sugar.