Why cant I give blood?!

Why cant I give blood?

Is this right?
I cant give blood because I have had an operation since 1980.
Therefore I supposedly could have all sorts of blood diseases like mad cow disease or something.
The people that have been helped are the ones that want to help the most, why the blanket ban and not testing a sample before allowing them to give blood.
At this rate, blood donors will run out because anyone who recieves blood after 1980 cannot give blood ever.
WTF is going on?

1 week ago
Have I read it wrong then. Do operations not count then?

1 week ago
I am 20 years old, play an awful lot of sports and extremely fit. There is no reason why I cannot give blood.

1 week ago
I am in the UK, so thanks to all those yanks, doesnt really help me though.
Also, how do I find out whether I recieved blood during that operation? Do I just ask my doctor? Would he know?

Did you receive a blood transfusion during the operation? If so, that will prevent you from becoming a blood donor, I'm afraid.

There are plenty of people who have had operations, but who didn't need transfusions (myself included). We can still donate with no problems.

The number of people who have received blood transfusions (for any reason) is very small, compared to the total population of Britain.