Sir, – It is most frustrating to read that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) seeks an additional 8,000 new blood donors by the end of the year (August 16th). I was a regular donor of blood for many years in Britain and would willingly have continued to do so upon moving to Ireland, especially since I have one of the less common blood types. Unfortunately it seems the IBTS will not accept blood from anyone who has spent one year or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996, citing the risk of variant CJD as the reason for this policy.
I wholly appreciate the wish to avoid spreading the awful disease that is CJD. However, I do have to ask whether the level of risk involved really does outweigh the potential life-saving benefits to so many people through access to blood from myself and other potential donors who are from, or who have lived in, the UK? – Yours, etc,
DARIUS BARTLETT,
Midleton, Co Cork.