The American Red Cross now invites those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland or France and have never tried to give blood due to concerns over variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) – related to mad cow disease – to give blood and help save lives.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its blood donor eligibility guidance on vCJD, eliminating the deferral for those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland and France between 1980 and 2001. In alignment with FDA changes, the Red Cross began accepting donations Oct. 3 from individuals who have not tried giving blood before due to the prior donation criteria. In combination with prior eligibility updates in 2020 for those who spent time in other European countries, this new change effectively eliminates the deferral related to vCJD for all donors.

“For many years, the Red Cross has heard from people who have spent time in these countries – often members of the military and their families – hoping for the opportunity to donate blood or platelets,” said Stephanie Dunn Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Metro New York North. “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.”

More blood donors – especially type O donors – are urged to donate now to prevent disruptions to essential medical care this fall. Book a time to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give Oct. 16-31, 2022, will receive a $10 e-Gift Card by email to a merchant of choice.

Changes in progress for those with a Red Cross donor record

Those who have tried to give with the Red Cross and have been previously deferred from donating will be contacted by the Red Cross once system records are updated. This deferral is more complex to remove than others as there are decades of donors in the Red Cross system who have been deferred under the previous FDA requirements. Individuals who have questions about their donor record can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31:

Fairfield

Danbury

10/18/2022: 1:30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gethsemane Baptist Church International, Gethsemane Baptist Church International, 8 Delay Street

10/28/2022: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., VFW POST 149 Danbury, 5 Byron Street

Easton

10/23/2022: 7:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Covenant Church of Easton, 1 Sport Hill Road

Fairfield

10/20/2022: 1:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road

10/25/2022: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Scandinavian Club, 1351 South Pine Creek Road

10/31/2022: 1:15 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road

10/31/2022: 9 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Fairfield University Student Center, 1073 North Benson Road

Greenwich

10/17/2022: 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road

10/18/2022: 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road

10/20/2022: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road

10/21/2022: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road

10/21/2022: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Greenwich Hospital, 5 Perryridge Road

10/24/2022: 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road

10/25/2022: 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road

10/31/2022: 7:45 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Greenwich Blood Donation Center, 99 Indian Field Road

New Fairfield

10/22/2022: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., New Life United Methodist Church, 1 Beaver Bog Road

Newtown

10/27/2022: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St.

Norwalk

10/24/2022: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Ann’s Club, 16 Hendricks Avenue

10/28/2022: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Norwalk Hospital, 34 Maple Street

Shelton

10/21/2022: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Shelton Community Center, 41 Church Street

10/31/2022: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Gardner Heights Healthcare Center, 172 Rocky Rest Road

Stamford

10/19/2022: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Italian Center, 1620 Newfield Avenue

10/22/2022: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Archangels Greek Orthodox Church, 1527 Bedford Street

10/24/2022: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Stamford, 1101 Bedford St

10/27/2022: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Stamford Church of Christ, 1264 High Ridge Road

Trumbull

10/17/2022: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Long Hill Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 5400 Main Street

10/19/2022: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road

10/24/2022: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 White Plains Road

Wilton

10/26/2022: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.