The Bermuda Red Cross is appealing for the public to give blood after some 35 percent of donors had to be turned away due to fears of Mad Cow Disease.

According to a Red Cross Press release, any person who has visited or lived in Europe for a cumulative total of six months or more from 1980 through to 1996 must until further notice be deferred as a blood donor.

That challenge, along with the increased numbers of major medical procedures and increasing chemotherapy treatments, has left the Red Cross "urgently in need of new blood donors".

Those between the ages of 18-70 who have not visited/lived in Europe for that time period are asked to call the Blood Donor Centre at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on 236-5067 for an appointment.

Clinics are held each Tuesday from 9.30-11.30 a.m. and each Thursday from 1.30-3.30 p.m. Donation takes just one hour.