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FDA rules change means some of us can now donate blood

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Illinois

* My family was stationed in Germany during the late 70s, early 80s, so I have been barred from donating blood. I’m really happy to see this change…

Thousands of potential blood donors who previously could not donate can now roll up their sleeves thanks to the lifting of a decades-long FDA restriction.

Anyone who traveled to or lived in Europe for more than five months in the 1980s and 90s were automatically disqualified someone from giving blood in the U.S. thanks to Mad Cow Disease. It meant that people who donated blood regularly suddenly had to stop.

Champaign Mayor Deb Feinen, Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Reitz and Visit Champaign CEO Jayne DeLuce were among those people.

“I donated previously and was shocked to learn when I couldn’t anymore that I wasn’t allowed to,” Feinen said.

Recently, the FDA announced they were lifting that restriction, allowing at least 5,000 people in ImpactLife’s region to donate blood when they previously couldn’t. Feinen, Reitz and DeLuce were ecstatic to hear the news they could donate again.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 9:13 am

Comments

Do gay men next.

Comment by TrippLite Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 9:27 am
This is great news for those of us who lived in Europe during that time. I’ve been asking every year to see if I was allowed to give, now I can’t wait for the opportunity

Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 9:32 am
I was in Augsburg 78-80. Never heard about this before. Has it been long enough I’m safe from the Moo disease ? I wonder about Deer meat with the Deer version (Wasting disease). ==TrippLite== Might want to reword that post a tad.

Comment by Anotheretiree Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 9:32 am
So happy for you, Rich. I would guess we were raised by people with a similar sense of civic responsibility and know how hard it is to read about shortages and see blood drives and not be eligible to contribute. I have great respect for all the donors out there and the service they do for people in great need.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 9:43 am
Wethinks Red Cross may want to announce this a little louder. It is a great move and comes at the time when some people are raising new questions about blood donations ( the questions align with the whacks who are anti vax)

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 10:15 am
This has been driving my wife crazy for years. She spent time there as a college student and couldn’t give blood. What was so perplexing is that, as she says, it’s not as if the Great Britain blood donation system has ground to a halt.” Glad FDA finally got this right.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 10:17 am
Wait…what???? Never heard of this. Glad for the change.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 10:23 am
==Do gay men next.==

Seconded.

Comment by yinn Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 10:53 am
Some more good news from the FDA - some hearing aids will be available OTC.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/16/health/fda-otc-hearing-aids/index.html

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 12:04 pm
* Do gay men next. *

It’s not gay men…it’s men who have sex with men. This is how the Red Cross refers to eligibility on its website. There are men who choose a heterosexual “lifestyle” but still have sex with other men.

In addition, donated blood is routinely tested for many things.

Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Aug 16, 22 @ 12:17 pm