Study at the Castle & Give Blood

FYI: If you have studied law at Herstmonceux Castle, it should not affect your eligibility to donate blood.

In 2005, Canadian Blood Services changed the rules. Before, all donors were disqualified - for life - if they spent 3 or more months, cumulatively, in the UK or France due to the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease contaminating the blood. When I got back from the castle in July, 2005, I thought that I would never be able to donate again! Thankfully, they amended the rule:

People are not eligible to donate blood or plasma if they have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in the United Kingdom (U.K.) between 1980, and 1996, or if they have spent a cumulative total of three months or more in France between 1980, and 1996, or if they have spent a cumulative total of five years or more in Western Europe outside the U.K. or France since 1980. In addition, people are not eligible to donate blood or plasma if they have had a blood transfusion or have received medical treatment with a product made from blood in the U.K., France or Western Europe since 1980.

Basically, the time spent at the castle shouldn't affect your eligibility to donate. Occasionally, blood drives are organized on campus at Queen's. If you can't wait until the next one (eligible donors can donate every 56 days), visit the CBS's permanent location in Kingston at 797 Princess Street.

Interestingly, according to a CBS nurse, UK authorities do not accept blood from donors who have spent time in Toronto due to the risk of avian flu contamination.