We hope these new FDA guidelines result in previously ineligible individuals coming to donate,” said Kristen Lane of Vitalant. “There is an urgent need for blood, platelet and convalescent plasma to provide to area hospitals. Vitalant anticipates the change will help ease blood shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vitalant also welcomes donors to call their medical help desk to speak to a registered nurse about eligibility at 41. Two national blood donation centers list eligibility details on their websites: Vitalant and the American Red Cross. Eligibility details on these websitesĪrmy Veteran Elizabeth “Liz” Zemba in uniform. For instance, FDA guidelines do not permit donation by individuals who have spent three months or more cumulatively in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1996. The deferral, however, is still in place for past or recent residency or travel in some European countries. military bases in Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Netherlands between 19, or on bases in Greece, Turkey, Spain, Portugal and Italy between 19 may now be eligible. Under the new guidelines, persons who had been ineligible because they resided for six months or more on U.S. “I was happy to make my first appointment to donate again.” Until now, she was last allowed to give blood in the mid-1980s. “I was surprised to learn I and other Veterans who had been banned from giving blood are now welcome to once again participate in this potentially lifesaving act,” Zemba said. Zemba is a technical sergeant in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and served as a pharmacy specialist at the former 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl from 1986 to 1990. She is among the thousands of former service members who for decades were told they could not give blood because they were stationed in Germany. Served at hospital in LandstuhlĪrmy Veteran Elizabeth “Liz” Zemba is pictured above. The FDA made the change after finding that there have been no reported cases of the brain disease associated with time spent on U.S. The disease was first recognized there in 1985. bases at the time sourced potentially tainted beef from the United Kingdom. The fatal disease is believed to be acquired by consuming contaminated beef.
Army Veteran Elizabeth “Liz” Zemba, after donating blood.