[OnyxCougar]

I am unable to donate blood and/or organs, even with the current blood shortage, because I lived in England > 3 months in the 90's. That takes over 25,000 Americans out of the donor pool just counting ONE rotation in the American Forces in England (counting Lakenheath, Mildenhall, Alconbury, Bedford, and the other itty bitty RAF bases. Think about the fact that every month we'd have 100 go home and then 100 n00bs arrive.

The worry is CJD (mad cow). They have no way to test for it in the blood stream, and they are afraid it may have some sort of incubation period, and then BAM! CJD.

Well, I'm sorry, but I don't see all the Brits that lived in England running around getting hit with CJD alla sudden (like the mass populous) so I think not allowing the military (or extended tourist or business people) to donate blood/organs is dumb.

I would give every 8 weeks if they would let me. But they won't.
Meantime, back on topic, I don't think I would be able to give a complete stranger any organs. I'm saving them for family members that may need them.