Story told by Mandy McMahon 

"I’d been unable to donate for about 20 years because I lived in England. My dad was stationed in England from 1989 to 1991, and apparently there was concern about Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease,” said Andrew Holladay of Elgin, South Carolina, the son of a United States Air Force pilot. I kept checking in over the years to see if the restriction had been lifted.”  

For decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricted blood donations from people who had spent time in certain European countries during the 1980s and ‘90s to prevent transmitting a deadly brain infection known as “mad cow disease.” During that time, the American Red Cross had to turn away many donors, including many in the military community who had served overseas. 

“I reached out to Kara [my friend at the Red Cross] and asked if there is any way I can give blood, or do you know is restriction still in effect? She gave me a number to call, and I learned the restriction was lifted back in October, so I’m good – I can give blood now!” 

The Red Cross is now accepting individuals who spent time in certain European countries between 1980 and 2001 to give blood to help patients in need. The change aligns with the FDA’s revised guidance regarding eliminating donor eligibility restrictions on European travel related to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), believed to be derived from mad cow disease.  

“Giving blood was really important to my dad. It was something that he did and got me and my brother involved in it, because we’re type O,” Andrew describes how his father’s legacy inspired him to become a blood donor. “My brother is in the Navy – he's on a boat somewhere in the middle of the ocean – as soon as he gets back to port, I will let him know he can donate now.”  

Due to the FDA guidance change, many individuals who were deferred for travel to France, Ireland, or the United Kingdom may now be able to roll up their sleeves to help save lives. The eligibility change will potentially impact hundreds of thousands of individuals previously ineligible to give blood or platelets. 

“My dad passed away in January, and that was such an important thing for him to be able to help out and save lives. It felt really good to honor him in this way,” said Andrew on what the eligibility change means to him. “My mom sent me a big heart emoji when I sent her the picture of me donating. I’m excited to be back and able to give again every eight weeks.” 

The Red Cross encourages individuals to give who have never tried to donate blood due to concerns over vCJD and believe they may now be eligible. Individuals may contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276 for information about donor eligibility.