Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

"Mad Cow" Blood Donor Ban Lifted

Image of Graphic of blood donation from Armed Services Blood Program. Welcome back, blood donors! The Food and Drug Administration has recently updated its guidelines, and Armed Services Blood Program blood donors who were once deferred for geographic risk factors related to vCJD, commonly known as “Mad Cow” disease, or for the receipt of a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Ireland during certain periods of time, may now be eligible to donate, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. (Jonathon Davis, MHS)

A decades-old blood donor ban was recently lifted by the Food and Drug Administration, potentially increasing the nation's blood supply by hundreds of thousands of donors each year.

Since the 1980s, the existence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, referenced as vCJD and otherwise known as the "Mad Cow" disease, banned many potential donors from donating blood—in particular, those who have served in or traveled to certain countries in Europe.

In 2020, the FDA lifted the vCJD disease travel deferral for the majority of affected European countries, but it wasn't until May 2022 that it was determined to be safe enough to lift the ban for the U.K., France, and Ireland.

Now, with lifting of the ban, the Armed Services Blood Program wants to see an increase in donors with "thousands of military members and their families who had been excluded from being able to donate blood because of geographical travel or military assignment now being eligible to donate," said U.S. Navy Capt. Leslie Riggs, division chief of the ASBP.

According to the FDA, most individuals who were once deferred should now be eligible to donate blood, assuming they meet all other donor requirements.

Riggs said that "standard procedures are in place to assure that donors are healthy at the time of donation and serve as an effective safeguard against collecting blood or blood components from a donor after the onset of clinical symptoms of vCJD. Blood safety is always our top priority."

Riggs added that everyone should consider donating blood, if they are eligible.

"Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person—the gift of life," he said. "A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components—red cells, platelets and plasma— which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions."

What is the Armed Services Blood Program?

Since 1952, the ASBP has been tasked with ensuring the safety of the military's blood supply. As the official blood program of the U.S. military, the ASBP's mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide, according to Riggs. As a joint operation within the Defense Health Agency, the ASBP collects, processes, stores, transports, and distributes blood products to service members, their families, retirees, and veterans worldwide.

Seventy-two years ago, the ASBP was established under President Harry Truman and became a fully operational blood program by 1962. "Our decades-long mission of providing lifesaving support for our warfighters carries on today," said Riggs. Along with the American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers, and the Blood Centers of America, the ASBP is one of four organizations that ensure the nation has a safe blood supply.

If you are interested in donating blood or checking your eligibility, visit militaryblood.dod.mil to locate a military blood donor center near you.

You also may be interested in...

New FDA Guidance for Long-standing Deferral; HIV Changes

Article
6/2/2023
New FDA Guidance for Long-standing Deferral; HIV Changes

The Food and Drug Administration issued new guidance on blood donations, removing some long-standing deferrals. In addition to this, the FDA is also considering moving towards an individualized risk-based approach when deciding donor eligibility. These changes are related to HIV medications and those at risk for contracting HIV.

Saving Lives: U.S. Naval Academy Hosts Successful ASBP Blood Drive

Article
4/20/2023
Saving Lives: U.S. Naval Academy Hosts Successful ASBP Blood Drive

In April, the Armed Services Blood Program held a two-day blood drive at the U.S. Naval Academy. A steady stream of midshipmen attended the drive, along with U.S. Naval Academy staff and others. Hundreds donated.

Armed Services Blood Program Bids Farewell to Beloved 'Irish Nurse'

Article
4/19/2023
Armed Services Blood Program Bids Farewell to Beloved 'Irish Nurse'

Armed Services Blood Bank Center - National Capital Region’s (ASBBC-NCR) “Irish Nurse” Finola Brophy-Houlihan retired after more than 43 years in nursing, including more than three decades in military and civilian blood collection.

Donate Blood at USNA Blood Drive and Save Lives with the ASBP

Article
3/24/2023
Donate Blood at USNA Blood Drive and Save Lives with the ASBP

Join the ASBP at the United States Naval Academy blood drive on April 19 and April 20 in Dahlgren Hall for an opportunity to support lifesaving efforts.

PEO-DHMS Fact Sheet: Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems Theater Blood Mobile

Fact Sheet
3/24/2023

TBLD-M program supports the wartime mission of the Armed Services Blood Program to provide overall blood management services to United States deployed personnel around the globe.

U.S. Military Blood Programs Deliver Lifesaving Support

Article
3/8/2023
U.S. Military Blood Programs Deliver Lifesaving Support

While collecting blood is a vital part of the Armed Services Blood Program, delivering it to the field ensures that medical professionals have the supply they need to save lives. The ASBP, along with blood programs from each military service, supports combatant commands by transporting life-saving blood to the battlefield.

How to Host a Blood Drive

Fact Sheet
2/6/2023

This fact sheet explains how to host an Armed Services Blood Program Blood Drive.

Armed Services Blood Program Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
2/6/2023

This fact sheet describes the Armed Services Blood Program, and provides locations of where you can donate blood for the military.

USU Students Dedication Leads to Mission Critical Lifesaving Blood Drives

Article Around MHS
1/20/2023
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Adam Stainiger

Blood provides life-extending properties. No one knows this like U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Adam Stainiger does. Find out how his own mother's health journey prompted Stainiger's dedication hosting blood drives to help other service members and their families.

Donated Blood Saves Lives

Article
1/20/2023
Military personnel donating blood

The Military Health System needs many units of blood every day. The Armed Services Blood Program has a mission to meet that need globally, whenever, and wherever needed.

January is National Blood Donor Month

Video
1/5/2023
January is National Blood Donor Month

Blood is being collected to be shipped out all over the world and we have Army, Air Force, Navy and DOD civilians acting as the local community. Now more than ever, especially in the pandemic, we need to donate and give blood as there has been a shortage of blood donors. What better time than on National Blood Donor Month?

Mad Cow Disease 2022

Photo
11/9/2022
Graphic of blood donation from Armed Services Blood Program

Welcome back, blood donors! The Food and Drug Administration has recently updated its guidelines, and Armed Services Blood Program blood donors who were once deferred for geographic risk factors related to vCJD, commonly known as “Mad Cow” disease, or for the receipt of a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Ireland during certain periods of time, may now be eligible to donate, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. (Jonathon Davis, MHS)

Blood Recipient ‘Keeps On’ Telling Others About the Impact Donors Make

Article Around MHS
9/1/2022
Vanessa Aguilar donating blood

Vanessa Aguilar is the ASBP blood donor recruiter at U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guam Blood Donor Center (US NMRTCG BDC). 

World Blood Donor Day

Infographic
6/1/2022
World Blood Donor Day Infographic

#WorldBloodDonorDay is a time to celebrate lifesavers around the world. When you donate blood with the Armed Services Blood Program, you affect positive change for our military community worldwide. Donate today! Militarydonor.com

World Blood Donor Day - Ready Set Donate

Infographic
6/1/2022
World Blood Donor Day

This #WorldBloodDonorDay, consider how your blood donation could save lives. With this simple act of generosity, you could be saving the life of someone’s brother, sister, parent, or friend. Find out where you can #ReadySetDonate today: militarydonor.com And thank you to all those who have already donated!

Page 1 of 4 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: November 10, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery