Calls for the possibility for gay men to have access to blood donation. Together, we will work toward an inclusive and equitable blood donation process that treats all potential donors with equality and respect, and ensures a safe, sufficient blood supply is readily available for patients in need. only do people die because of a lack of organs, but also because the trafficking. We ask advocates and stakeholders to join us in this important dialogue and pathways toward achieving our goal, while recognizing the need to always maintain patient safety. Generally, it must be at least 12 months since your last cancer treatment. We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that every blood recipient receives safe, lifesaving blood when needed. Donor eligibility after cancer treatment varies. blood collection organizations to gather and provide data to the FDA for additional research and evaluation. While the Red Cross cannot unilaterally enact further changes to the MSM deferral policy, we will continue to work with other U.S. The Red Cross, like all blood collectors in the U.S., is required to follow the eligibility guidelines issued by the FDA. If the study’s scientific evidence supports the use of the different eligibility questions, it could lead to further efforts to change the MSM eligibility criteria. This study is a first step in providing data that will help the FDA determine if a donor history questionnaire based on individual risk would be as effective as a time-based deferral related to MSM in reducing the risk of HIV in the blood supply. The ADVANCE Study is focused on evaluating alternatives to the FDA’s MSM policy. In December 2020, the Red Cross, along with One Blood, Vitalant and partner LGBTQ+ community health organizations, launched a pilot study funded by the FDA in select cities that could potentially lead to changes for blood donor eligibility criteria for gay and bisexual men.
In response to this, coupled with the continual blood shortages in the United Kingdom, the time has come to allow Gay and Bisexual men to donate blood freely. Gay and Bisexual men can adopt children, get married, donate bone marrow, as well as donate organs. But the Red Cross also recognizes that further progress is needed, and we continue to strongly support the expanded use of new research and technologies to work toward elimination of donor eligibility questions that would no longer be necessary. All blood is tested for contamination and infection in exactly the same way. The Red Cross is encouraged by this action, which we view as an interim step to achieving our greater goal. Food and Drug Administration reduced the deferral time for men who have sex with men (MSM) from 12 to three months. As such the Red Cross believes blood donation eligibility should not be determined by methods that are based upon sexual orientation and is committed to working with partners toward achieving this goal. The American Red Cross seeks to build an inclusive environment that embraces diversity for all those who engage with our lifesaving mission. Food and Drug Administration’s guidance “Revised Recommendations for Reducing the Risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission by Blood and Blood Products” which outlines the deferral criteria for men who have had sex with men (MSM): ApThe American Red Cross issued the following statement regarding the U.S.