FDA aims to relax blood donation rules
Posted: May 13, 2015 11:38 PM EDT | Updated: May 13, 2015 11:44 PM EDT
For several years, gay rights activists have been calling the ban on blood donations from gay men discriminatory.
The FDA is now moving to relax the rule.
If approved, the new rule would require gay men to abstain from sex for a year before they donate blood.
The South Bend Medical Foundation believes if this were to go into effect, it would be very beneficial for their supplies and LGBT relationships.
“We're hoping this will strengthen our connection with [the gay and lesbian community], essentially boosting the donor base,” says SBMF Manager of Blood Donor Recruitment Christina Tembo.
The 30-year-old ban has been in place since the AIDS scare began.
The FDA is now moving to relax the rule.
If approved, the new rule would require gay men to abstain from sex for a year before they donate blood.
The South Bend Medical Foundation believes if this were to go into effect, it would be very beneficial for their supplies and LGBT relationships.
“We're hoping this will strengthen our connection with [the gay and lesbian community], essentially boosting the donor base,” says SBMF Manager of Blood Donor Recruitment Christina Tembo.
The 30-year-old ban has been in place since the AIDS scare began.