[fr_freak]

You want to hear something ironic? I'm type O and would be willing to donate, but my military service in Europe during the 80's disqualifies me.

What? Why does that disqualify you?

[LandOfTheFreeHomeOfTheBrave]

Not allowed to donate blood because of possible exposure to mad cow disease.

[NYFriend]

Mad Cow I'd bet. I'm close to the lifetime limit on European travel. The Red Cross petitioned federal regulators to exclude people who have spent cumulative periods of time in various parts of Europe. I spoke to a rep. from another blood company who suggested that that Red Cross was just trying to restrict the blood supply to drive per unit prices up.

[Obi-Wandreas]

The "official" story is that the Red Cross is worried about "mad cow" and other crud, so anyone who has spent more than 6 months cumulative in Europe since 1980 is disqualified.
The real reason, as far as I've heard, is that they are run by a bunch of incompetents and wanted to cover up their huge deficits with an artificial blood shortage. Either way, I can't donate either.
Does anyone know anywhere I can go to donate without having to deal with the Red Cross? I donated every time I could after I turned 17 (the legal age in NY State), but had to stop once this BS was put in place