ALLENTOWN, Pa. – More people are eligible to give blood to the American Red Cross.
People who spent time in the United Kingdom, Ireland or France between 1980-2001 now can donate again.
- People who visited the United Kingdom, Ireland or France can donate blood again
- Exposure to mad cow disease was the reason for the ban
- The Red Cross is looking for blood donors. especially Type O donors
Red Cross's Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter, which covers the Lehigh Valley, made the announcement Monday. The change went into effect Oct. 3.
In the past, people who had been to those areas could not give blood because of their potential exposure to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is related to mad cow disease.
“We now welcome all donors who may have spent time in Europe and avoided blood donation as a result to join us in our lifesaving mission to help patients in need,” said Jorge Martinez, interim chief executive officer for the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region.
The change comes as the U.S. Food and Drug administration updates its guidance on who is eligible to give blood.
The Red Cross is looking for blood donors, especially those with Type O blood.
More information about giving blood can be found at redcrossblood.org
