Recently Stonewall hosted the Red Cross for a blood drive. Thirty-one community members came to donate blood in a time when the demand is outpacing the supply. Last week the folks who chose to donate at Stonewall helped save ninety-three lives. Donating is easy and nearly painless!
If you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community and would like to find out more about how you can make a difference by donating blood through the Red Cross please visit: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements/lgbtq-donors.html
Due to recent changes in policy members of the LGBTQ+ community who wish to donate blood should review update guidelines provided by the FDA.
Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Products
Among others, the FDA is making the following changes, for immediate implementation, to the December 2015 guidance:
- For male donors who would have been deferred for having sex with another man: the agency is changing the recommended deferral period from 12 months to 3 months.
- For female donors who would have been deferred for having sex with a man who had sex with another man: the agency is changing the recommended deferral period from 12 months to 3 months.
- For those with recent tattoos and piercings: the agency is changing the recommended deferral period from 12 months to 3 months.
