The American Red Cross now invites those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland or France and have never tried to give blood due to concerns over variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease – related to mad cow disease – to give blood and help save lives.

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration updated its blood donor eligibility guidance on vCJD, eliminating the deferral for those who spent time in the U.K., Ireland and France between 1980 and 2001. In alignment with FDA changes, the Red Cross began accepting donations Oct. 3 from individuals who have not tried giving blood before due to the prior donation criteria.

“For many years, the Red Cross has heard from people who have spent time in these countries – often members of the military and their families – hoping for the opportunity to donate blood or platelets,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional CEO, Eastern New York Region. “Growing up, I lived overseas in Gibraltar, UK and was ineligible to donate blood until now. I’m excited to be able to schedule my first blood donation. We welcome all donors who may have spent time in Europe, and avoided blood donation as a result, to join us in our lifesaving mission to help patients in need.”

Book a time to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give Oct. 16-31, will receive a $10 e-Gift Card by email to a merchant of choice.

Changes in progress for donor records

Those who have tried to give with the Red Cross and have been previously deferred from donating will be contacted by the Red Cross once system records are updated. This deferral is more complex to remove than others as there are decades of donors in the Red Cross system who have been deferred under the previous FDA requirements. Individuals who have questions about their donor record can contact the Red Cross Donor and Client Support Center at 1-866-236-3276.

Upcoming blood drives:

Herkimer County

Frankfort — Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1 to 6 p.m., VFW, 4274 Acme Road;

West Winfield — Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., Federated Church of West Winfield, 452 E. Main St.

Madison County

Cazenovia — Thursday, Oct. 20, 1 to 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 27 Albany St.;

Chittenango — Friday, Oct. 28, 1 to 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 118 Arch St.;

Oneida — Tuesday, Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Holy Cross Academy, 4020 Barrington Road; Friday, Oct. 28, 1 to 6 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 551 Sayles St.;

Wampsville — Thursday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., County offices, 138 North Court St.

Oneida County

Barneveld — Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1 to 6 p.m., CenterPoint Church, 8021 Route 12;

Boonville — Thursday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Adirondack Central School, 8181 Route 294 and 2 to 6 p.m., Adirondack Central School, 8181 Route 294;

Clinton — Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1 to 6 p.m., Schilling Burns Young VFW Post 959, 48 Franklin Ave.;

Lee Center — Friday, Oct. 21, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Lee Center Community, 5808 Stokes Lee Center Road;

Prospect — Thursday, Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 215 Church St.;

Rome — Friday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 W. Chestnut St.;

Utica — Friday, Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., County Office Building, 800 Park Ave.

Whitesboro — Thursday, Oct. 20, noon to 5 p.m., CrossPoint Church, 317 Oriskany Blvd.