@nypara66
Most of the time persons with blood disorders such as polycythemia or hemochromatosis are disqualified as blood donors. Polycythemia Vera (PV) is considered a myeloproliferative neoplastic disease, a condition from a group of blood cancers in which the bone marrow produces too many blood cells, either Red, White or platelets. PV is one of the conditions not allowed for donations at Red Cross blood centers.

I’m really surprised that your hematologist would tell patients with a blood cancer to donate blood but be deceitful about it. The fact that your doctor even mentions ‘don’t tell anyone’ says it’s not the right nor ethical decision. Would you want to receive blood under these circumstances? This makes me cringe on several levels. And you trust this doctor with your life?