If you were once deferred from donating blood for geographic risk factors related to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), commonly known as “Mad Cow” disease, we are excited to share that you are now ELIGIBLE to be a blood donor.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its vCJD guidelines and it means most people who traveled, lived, or had a transfusion in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France from 1980 to present are now eligible to donate blood, as long as they meet all other donor eligibility requirements.
If you attempted to donate with OneBlood or a legacy blood center and were deferred under the previous FDA vCJD guidelines, please call our Donor Advocacy Department at 1-888-936-6283, extension 33858, or fill out our online form. Our team will review your file and contact you by phone or email to let you know if you are eligible to be re-entered as a blood donor.
Please allow 6-8 weeks for a response. Please refrain from attempting to donate until our team contacts you and informs you of your eligibility status.