By Emily Wilson
While the Red Cross’ blood supplies are in the red, perfectly healthy people are being turned down due a policy that both the American Red Cross and American Blood Center call ‘medically and scientifically unwarranted’.
Less than ten percent of the United States’ population is donating blood and shortages are cropping up nationwide. According to Red Cross Spokeswoman Jecoliah Ellis, February’s Nor’easter caused over 150 blood drives to be shut down.
With over 43,000 pints of blood being used per day, the fact that the FDA has not lifted its deferral on homosexuals is mind boggling.
The FDA claims that homosexuals have an HIV prevalence that is 60 times higher than the general population, which to them warrants a lifetime deferral. A heterosexual man that has relations with a prostitute is only deferred for one year. In 2006 the FDA was quick to shoot down the Red Cross, American Blood Center and other supporters. Shortly after a workshop the FDA said, “Scientific evidence has not yet been provided to FDA that shows that blood donated by MSM or a subgroup of these potential donors, is as safe as blood from currently accepted donors.”
Homosexuality isn’t the only trait receiving a ban on donation, though. According to redcross.org, there are several situations that will result in a rejection, such as drug use, exposure to STD’s like Syphilis and Gonorrhea, having tattoos or piercings or having sex for money or drugs since 1977.
But these restrictions will only warrant a 12 month prohibition, not a lifetime ban like the possibility of homosexual contact with a healthy sexual partner.
Banned4Life, a non-profit organization founded by Blake Lynch, is protesting that the FDA needs to change its policies. When Lynch went to donate blood for his friend Emmy, who has Sickle Cell Disease, he was turned away due to the FDA’s ban on homosexual men. Although Lynch is unable to donate blood himself, it’s his goal to run a Banned4Life nationwide event in hopes of a turnout of more than 50,000 eligible donors.
For Lynch and many others October 19th, 2013 will not be just another day to cross off the calendar. Calling it National Donate 4 All Day, Lynch hopes that his website and events will compel people to donate from coast to coast.