Does Red Cross really save lives?

I am originally from Europe, been going through US education school systems from 5th grade onwards. Usually, when the RC came to draw blood to our schools I was more than willing to be a donor and there was no problem what so ever with my “European” blood than. Now 10+ yrs fast forward , RC made some dumb policy that rejects my blood donation because I lived/was born in Europe which they say I could have gotten infected by mad cow disease. Ok fine I could have and could have not, why was my blood all good during my childhood but now, not even going back to EU i’m a reject? why cant they test my blood and if its good its good and if not than reject me? I think Red Cross new policy is rediculas and they loose a load of donors that way that could help save much more lives.