What a hollow statement Iv read here.." UK blood not being accepted..", NOT true! My
UK husband gave YESTERDAY at Red Cross along with myself and other relatives and
friends. God Bless*

The rules are on the Red Cross website!:

http://www.redcross.org/services/bio...n/eligibl.html

"Travel Outside of U.S.

defer 12 months for travel into areas with a risk of malaria defer 3 years after
having lived for 1 year or more in a malarial-risk area defer indefinitely if during
1980 - 1996 spent a total time that adds up to 6 months or more in the United
Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Channel Islands)
see AIDS section "

I have had friends who've lived here for years, given blood regularly and then
started to get turned away a few years ago. I'm sure in their haste to get blood
yesterday they skipped some of the checking.

Hollow statement, my arse! I don't normally get snippity with people but you need to
check what the facts are before you dispute things with a sweeping statement like
that because they will bounce back on you.

Andy.

--
I'm not really here - it's just your warped imagination.

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you
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I get snippity. I have given blood for years in many parts of the world where I have
lived. I was turned away a few months ago at the blood drive at the company where I
work. I did not want to waste anyones time yesterday.

Ladiegray is the latest entrant on the Doofus list

Grinch

They won't take Steve's blood (UK). He went with me to donate, and they refused his.

Lisa

I called the Red Cross just a few minutes ago - they will not take blood if you've
been in the UK for at least 6 months in the last 10 years, no matter what your
citizenship.

(The rest of Europe is ok, though they said something about the Falkland Islands)

Also, if you've had vaccines recently, double-check. Varicella and Hep A/B you have
to wait at least a week before donating.

Betastar

On Wed, 12 Sep 2001 12:55:53 GMT, "Steve & Lisa"

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It is up to YOU to know that UK blood is unacceptable. If your husband did not open
his mouth, or if the attendant taking his blood did not know about the rules, that is
not the problem. The problem is thinking that somehow he is above this fact, which he
is not. Thanks for the disservice! I am sure whomever gets the possibly tainted blood
would rather not have had him giving the blood in the first place.

--
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Steen's Visa Pages http://www.mindspring.com/~docsteen/...o/visainfo.htm
Newsgroup FAQ http://www.k1faq.com Immigration and Naturalization Service
http://www.ins.usdoj.gov {I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For
reliable legal advice, please consult with a professional immigration attorney.}

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Damn now I am going to be singing that great Soft Cell hit all day.

"Tainted Blood"

Grinch

Does anyone know what exactly is the problem/risk with UK blood? Is it something to
do with a particular disease that we were more likely exposed to in the UK?

Sarah

I might be wrong, but I thought it was risk of blood being contaminated with the mad
cow disease. I don't believe they quite know how it affects humans (I think there
have been cases of transmission to humans) so they're being cautious. And to those
who are offended by the fact that the red cross won't take your blood - it's not like
they're being deliberately mean or nasty. They just don't want know how contagious
that mad cow disease is so they want to be careful. So chill.

Sarah <[email protected]>
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Mad Cow? I rather believe it's the Foot and Mouth Disease. I could be wrong.