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Gay men limited as blood donors for Orlando shooting victims

There was a call for blood donations in the wake of Sunday’s tragedy in Orlando, and the community came out in droves to answer that call.
But until recently, men who'd had sex with other men faced a lifetime ban on donating blood, and even after the tragedy that struck Orlando this week, that particular demographic group still faces limitations on donating.
Lines circled blocks as people waited for hours to donate blood and help their neighbors in a time of need.
“It was very heartwarming to see the community come out the way that they did to replenish the blood supply, and they did it in record time,” said Susan Forbes of One Blood.
Forbes said there are many reasons anyone could be deferred from giving blood, including travel, anemia and high blood pressure.
But what are the hurdles that gay donors still face when giving blood?
“Recently, the FDA lifted the lifetime ban, and they have moved to a one-year deferral period,” Forbes said.
“Do you think that now would be the time to change that ban?” asked Channel 9’s Janai Norman.
“Well, we don't make the rules, we play by them,” Forbes responded.
Even when the FDA makes changes, Forbes said a lot has to change at the local blood center level. So currently, One Blood still does not accept blood from men who've had sex with men.
Forbes said she expects that to change soon, and said it didn't greatly impact the amount of blood received this week because so many people donated.
Forbes said One Blood saw a nearly 40 percent increase in first-time donors.

ORLANDO, Fla. — “The victims who received blood products on Sunday, it's the people who donated on Friday that helped save the lives on Sunday, and so it's vital that a blood supply is available 24/7, 365 days a year,” Forbes said.

Cox Media Group

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