[MortMan]

I am O-negative. Universal donor.

I have been prohibited since the 90s, because I was in the Army in Europe during the mad cow years.

Gallon-plus prior, but prohibited. Low risk otherwise (same wife and partner since 1989).

It still ticks me off.

[Verginius Rufus]

I don't understand the strictness of the rules for people who had been in Europe during the forbidden period--has even a single case of mad cow disease been attributed to a blood donation? Now for non-military types the period is 5 years in Europe--but in Europe they take blood donations from people who have lived there all their lives. When the time frame was 6 months I was unable to give blood for several years because I had spent 7 months in Europe in 1980. Fortunately I can now give again and will on March 30, the first day I am eligible.

I really don't understand this policy. Meanwhile they let homosexual men donate blood as long as they claim not to have had any same-sex sexual activity in the past 12 months.

[Fury]

I have been prohibited since the 90s, because I was in the Army in Europe during the mad cow years.

Worked with someone who was a dependent, whose dad was in USAFE in.

Told me that he stopped over at a table where they were setting up for a blood drive and asked if he could donate. He did not know that he couldn't. Said people checked their sheet and started staring at him. Apparently it was the first time they had run across a prohibited donor who was in Europe during the C-J scare. Prions - tough little things.