Went to give Blood and they tell me because I was stationed in Britian in the 80's that I can't because of exposure to "MAD COW" diease. Heck, and I got AB- blood! They didn't even take a blood test! DAMN!

Anyone else in the same boat?

 

So having been in Britain in the 80's precludes giving blood? I guess I'm out too, since I lived there for a summer in '87.

 

I guess I can after all, since I was there less than 6 months!

Criteria:
Causes of Temporary Deferrals

Antibiotic medication within the last 48 hours
Cold or flu within the last week
Pregnancy within the last six weeks
Received a blood transfusion within the last 12 months
Hepatitis exposure or hepatitis B immune globulin shot within the last 12 months
Travel to a malaria area within the last 12 months
Tattoo within the last 12 months
Donors who have undergone ear/skin piercing where the sterility and equipment for the materials used cannot be verified are deferred for 12 months.
Donors are deferred if a cumulative of six months or more has been spent in the United Kingdom from 1980-1996. (United Kingdon is defined as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. The Republic of Ireland is not included in the definition.)
Syphilis or gonorrhea within the last 12 months
Jailed for three consecutive days within the last 12 months
Malaria/residency in malaria region in the last three years
Cancer (other than minor skin cancer) within the last five years

Causes for Permanent Deferrals

AIDS/HIV infection
Hepatitis or yellow jaundice
Family history of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) or fatal neurological disease
Received dura mater graft (tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord)
Received human growth hormone shot prior to 1985
Melanoma

 

Damn it! I was there for more than four years! Need to find another way to help!