Blood Assurance Notifying Potential Donors They Might Now be Eligible to Give

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Blood Assurance is reaching to thousands of potential blood donors who have been not allowed to donate in the past due to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations that are now changing.

The FDA had previously prohibited thousands from donating blood over concerns to exposure to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, more commonly known as Mad Cow disease. Here were the guidelines for who would be placed on a “blood donor referral” list, essentially barring them from donating blood.

• Anyone who stayed in the United Kingdom for three or more months from 1980-1996.
• Anyone who stayed in France or Ireland for five or more years from 1980-2001.
• Anyone who has a receipt of a blood transfusion from the United Kingdom, France, or Ireland from 1980-present.

Anyone fitting these qualifications in the past were not allowed to give blood to fears that giving blood could have spread Mad Cow Disease.

Since the FDA had placed these restrictions in place in 1999, Blood Assurance has had to turn away more than 3,200 individuals because of living or extended travel in those European countries. Blood Assurance is currently contacting those who have been deferred that they are now eligible to give blood at their center.

The chief medical officer for Blood Assurance, Dr. Liz Culler, stated that, “We are excited to welcome back previously deferred donors and the many others who were affected by these regulations.”

Blood Assurance says that this is much needed due to lower platelet donation levels which have caused low blood supply. They report that on some days there have been less than a two-day supply of most blood types on its shelves.

For anyone who might be interested in donating to Blood Assurance, you can visit https://www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also available.