American Red Cross Issues  New Blood Donor Rules

FARMINGTON — The American Red Cross implemented a new set of blood donor guidelines that allows many donors previously deferred from the process due to travel to the United Kingdom to once again give blood.

Travel to the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and the Falkland Islands) will defer only those blood donors who have spent more than three months cumulative time in these areas from January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1996. Travel to the UK during or after 1997 is no longer a cause for blood donor deferral.

The deferral for donors spending time in Europe remains unchanged. That is, those who have traveled to Europe for six months or more cumulative time from January 1, 1980, to the present (including time spent in the UK from 1980 to 1996) are indefinitely deferred from donating blood.

These standards are within the guidelines of the Federal Food and Drug Administration, and are designed to prevent the introduction of new variant Creutzfeld Jakob Disease (vCJD) into the blood supply in the United States. vCJD, commonly known as mad cow disease, has affected more than 120 people worldwide, and is thought to be commonly transmitted by eating tainted beef, though at least one case of the disease in the UK is thought to possibly have been caused by a blood transfusion.

In addition, those visiting Iraq are deferred from donating blood for 12 months following their return to the United States due to the possible transmission of leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by the bite of infected sandflies, common in Iraq, and can be transmitted through blood.

Anyone with questions about these new guidelines, or about their personal donor eligibility status, may contact the American Red Cross, Connecticut Region at 800-214-9455 (8:30 am to 9 pm Monday–Friday) or 800-560-0565 (8:30 to 5:00, Monday–Friday).

Anyone who is 17 or older, weighs 110 pounds or more and is in generally good health, probably is eligible to donate blood. Call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543) to make an appointment, or visit the website at www.bloodct.org. Identification is required to give blood.