Have you ever been told you can’t donate because you spent time in the United Kingdom or Europe during the 80s and 90s? ARUP Blood Services has great news to share!
ARUP Blood Services strongly supports the updated FDA guidance regarding variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD). This move will allow more people to safely donate and strengthen our state’s blood supply.
Commonly referred to as mad cow disease, vCJD is a rare disease of the central nervous system. Despite initial concerns of potential transmission, science continues to show that the transmission risk of vCJD by blood components remains negligible.
Based on updated evidence, the FDA’s new guidance removes the deferral recommendations for donors who spent time in the U.K. from 1980 to 1996 or spent time in France and Ireland from 1980 to 2001. The FDA is also removing deferral recommendations for those who were recipients of a blood transfusion in the U.K., France, or Ireland from 1980 to present.
ARUP Blood Services is looking forward to welcoming back previously deferred donors who lived in Europe during this time, were missionaries who served in Europe, or were members of the military who served in Europe.
Call 801-584-5272 to speak with a friendly staff member about donating blood or platelets.
We have two donor centers open seven days a week at 9786 S. 500 W., in Sandy and 565 Komas Drive, in Research Park.
