Help me give blood again

[deaniac83]

Did you know I can't give blood? Not because I have any illness. I don't. I can't give blood because I'm gay. Several senators joined Sen. John Kerry today asking the FDA to lift the ban on gay men to donate blood. I used to be an avid blood donor but can no longer donate, despite being healthy, because of this policy. This policy is discriminatory and without scientific basis. Here's the list of Senators who signed that letter:

John Kerry (MA)
Kirstin Gillibrand (NY)
Dick Durbin (IL)
Daniel Akaka (HI)
Sheldon Whitehouse (RI)
Sherrod Brown (OH)
Frank Lautenberg (NJ)
Bob Casey (PA)
Bernie Sanders (VT)
Russ Feingold (WI)
Mark Udall (CO)
Al Franken (MN)
Maria Cantwell (WA)
Carl Levin (MI)
Tom Harkin (IA)
Mark Begich (AK)
Rolland Burris (IL)
Michael Bennet (CO)

I want to give blood again. Will you help me? Please call FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg at 1-888-463-6332 and tell her to lift this ban. If your Senators are not on the list - and I frankly don't care if they're Republican or Democratic or something else - call them and ask them to sign the letter. If your Senators are on the list, call them also, and thank them for their stand. In fact, call your Representative in the House as well, and tell them to get on board, too. The Capitol Switchboard numbers: 1-866-338-1015, 1-866-220-0044, 1-866-311-3405.

I http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2010/03/kerry-others-lift-ban-on-gay-blood.html">wrote in detail about this on my blog, http://www.thepeoplesview.net">The People's View.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I used to work for the Red Cross, in their Blood Services Division.

And I agree with you.

However, let me say this. ONE case of blood-transmitted AIDS, and the public will be more paranoid than ever about letting gay men donate.

Just sayin'...

[deaniac83]

2. Well, it's still wrong

Even in a case of blood-transmitted HIV, it's quite possible that the blood came from a straight person and not a gay man. The proper focus in terms of protecting the safety of the nation's blood supply is on behavior, not on identity. Gay people who practice good judgment, caution and discretion in sexual activities are no worse candidates for blood donation than our straight counterparts. Straight people who engage in risky behavior are no better candidates for blood donation than their gay counterparts. We ought to be able to focus on behavior, not blanket exclusions.

[tomm2thumbs]

12. true, perhaps Senator Ashburn can enlighten us on giving blood - as a 'straight man'

a laughable thought

[gleaner]

3. I can do this for you easily ...

I noticed that my Senators Feinstein and Boxer are not on that list. They need to be. I'll call them and anyone else I think can help.

My husband nearly died in 2008. He had to have open heart surgery among many other procedures and the MRSA which attacked his heart also attacked his bone marrow. He had to have at least 5 units of blood. He has a rare blood type and the hospital was lamenting the shortage of blood of all types, and rare types in particular. We would have welcomed your blood. Even if it had not been his type it could have helped someone else. Thank you for caring enough to have donated in the past and to want to donate again despite the shabby way you have been treated.

As for passing HIV or any other disease let me tell the people out there who worry, that the blood which is drawn is tested for many different medical conditions to insure that it is safe. Also, there is no such thing as a "gay" disease. We are all equally susceptible to diseases. Right now in my state the group where HIV is growing the fastest is among straight teenagers who do not practice safe sex or contraception and who do not understand why it is important. This is because the conservatives have successfully choked off any meaningful sex education for years. It is past time to bring it back and make it work. Our children's lives depend on it.

And now, let us pursue your blood. ;)

[deaniac83]

6. Thank you

Thank you for making the calls. I live in California as well, so I have contacted Boxer and Feinstein, too. I'm sorry to hear about your husband - how is he now?

[gleaner]

8. You are entirely welcome ....

My husband is still not doing very well. His heart is weak and the output of the left ventricle is below normal. He has damage to his kidneys, lungs, liver and bone marrow. His blood counts are still abnormally low. He can barely walk with a walker. It is something the MRSA did but the doctors don't know how or why. They told us that a lot of our questions are never going to be answered because not that many people survive MRSA. At the time my husband was hospitalized a high school athlete, a boy only 17 was hospitalized with it too. He was dead within three days. One of the nurses in the ICU contagion unit told me that MRSA is "in the wild." It can now be contracted easily outside of hospital and medical settings. The infectious disease doctor told me that it is the most aggressive bacteria he has ever seen, mutates quickly and is as contagious as a cold or the flu. It passes the same way, through hand to hand contact or from touching environmental surfaces and then your eyes, nose or mouth. So I tell everyone, wash your hands often. Carry hand sanitizer and use it often.

It was a pleasure to make those calls for you and anyone else who is kind enough to want to give blood. There always seems to be a shortage and I see no sense in barring a large part of the population from donating blood if they want to do it. That attitude is just wrong. If there is anything else I can do, please let me know. I have MS and they wisely do not let me drive, but I can call and I can type.:fistbump: Thank you for asking about my husband. Some people do, but most don't want to know about it at all. You are good people.

[deaniac83]

16. The absolute best wishes for you and your husband

With your love and support though, I hope he will get better. You sound like an extraordinary person in your own right - helping others and making those calls even though you have your hands full enough with your MS. I really admire that.

And I also want to say one more thank you for making the calls. You know that when they say donating blood *is* donating life, they're not exaggerating. I think it was privilege for me to do so in the past, and it will be once again in the future. I think everyone who is healthy enough to donate blood should. It doesn't cost me a penny, and if my blood or my bone marrow can save a life, why wouldn't I fall over myself to do it? My entire family are registered organ donors in the state of California. This is something we take seriously, which is partly why this issue is so important to me.

[gleaner]

22. Thank you ...

Really, the calls are no big deal to make. We have a cellular plan that is based on minutes and not location of the party you are calling so I like to call the offices of the senators and representatives in Washington DC. It seems to have a more immediate impact. Right now they are dealing with their "Health Reform" issues so all I got was the "we'll keep a tally" and promises to pass my remarks on. So later on, I'll give them another call, or an email. Boxer used to send emails back, but this year she has not been doing it so much. She came down on the wrong side of the public option and I think she is afraid of losing her office. Feinstein is retiring. But in a way both are good to pressure a bit. Boxer for her job and Feinstein for her legacy.

My husband and I know better than anyone that people who receive blood are desperately ill and need a lifeline. I want to thank not only you for attempting to extend that lifeline, but all of the others who give blood, are marrow and organ donors. My husband has a pig valve in his chest to replace the one that the MRSA destroyed. It will last fifteen years. What they will do then, I don't know. But this was better for him than the mechanical valve. His body is less likely to reject it and it is less likely to throw a clot which could cause a stroke. I admire your concern for the health and well being of other people. That is not so easy to find anymore. Again, if there is anything else I can do, PM me and let me know. Take care of yourself. We need you.

[lunatica]

4. They give you a looooooong list of questions before you can give blood

When I'm through I wonder who's left to give blood now. I'm divorced for 15 years and have had no sexual contact with anyone in all that time. Thus I am qualified to give blood. But if I have had sexual contact with anyone for money, or any gay person, or any African immigrant or have traveled just about anywhere in the last year I would be disqualified. I just sit there and really wonder if only people with totally boring lives for the last two decades are the only ones who can help people who need blood. No wonder they're always saying they have shortages of blood.

[TheBigotBasher]

5. UK policy is very discriminatory

and the US followed the UK on it.

You should not give blood if:

You've already given blood in the last 12 weeks (normally, you must wait 16 weeks).

You have a chesty cough, sore throat or active cold sore.

You're currently taking antibiotics or you have just finished a course within the last seven days or have had any infection in that last two weeks.

You've had hepatitis or jaundice in the last 12 months.

You've had a tattoo, semi-permanent make up or any cosmetic treatments that involves skin piercing in the last 6 months.

You have had acupuncture in the last 4 months, unless this was done within the NHS or by a qualified Healthcare Professional registered with a statutory body.

A member of your family (parent, brother, sister or child) has suffered with CJD (Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease). To view the position statement on CJD click here.

You've ever received human pituitary extract (which was used in some growth hormone or fertility treatments before 1985).

You have received blood or think you may have received blood during the course of any medical treatment or procedure anywhere in the world since 1st January 1980.

You may not be able to give blood if:

You've had a serious illness or major surgery in the past or are currently on medication. Please discuss this with the clinical staff. The reason you're taking medicines may prevent you from donating.

You've had complicated dental work. Simple fillings are OK after 24 hours, as are simple extractions after 7 days.

You've been in contact with an infectious disease or have been given certain immunisations in the last four weeks.

You're presently on a hospital waiting list or undergoing medical tests.

You do not weigh over 50kgs (7st 12).

Pregnancy

You should not give blood if you are pregnant or you are a woman who has had a baby in the last 9 months.

Travel abroad

Please wait 6 months after returning from a malarial area before giving blood. Please also tell us if you have visited Central/South America at any time. (Those who've had Malaria, or an undiagnosed illness associated with travel, may not however be able to give blood.)

If you are unsure please call our 24 hour donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23.

West Nile virus

Have you been to or plan to go to CANADA or the UNITED STATES this Summer? If yes, please click here, as it might affect you giving blood.

The special problem of HIV and Hepatitis viruses

Every single blood donation is tested for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and hepatitis B and C.
Infected blood isn't used in transfusions but our test may not always detect the early stages of viral infection.
The chance of infected blood getting past our screening tests is very small, but we rely on your help and co-operation.

People who carry these viruses may feel healthy for many years.

You should never give blood if:

You have ever had syphilis, HTVL (Human T - lymphotorpic virus), hepatitis B or C or think you may have hepatitis now

You're a man who's had sex with another man, even safe sex using a condom.

You've ever worked as a prostitute.

You've ever injected yourself with drugs - even once.

You should not give blood for 12 months after sex with:

A man who has had sex with another man (if you're a female).

A prostitute.

Anyone who has ever injected themselves with drugs.

Anyone with haemophilia or a related blood clotting disorder who has received clotting factor concentrates.

Anyone of any race who has been sexually active in parts of the world where AIDS/HIV is very common. This includes countries in Africa.

Please do not give blood if you even think that you need a test for HIV or hepatitis, or if you had sex in the past year with someone you think may be HIV or hepatitis positive.

https://secure.blood.co.uk/c11_cant.asp

[Hawkeye-X]

10. I gave blood Wednesday - but in the UK I could not

because I received acupuncture therapy (with certified Chinese acupuncturist) three weeks ago after I threw out my back again.

It works wonders.

Hawkeye-X

[treestar]

13. The UK must not have any blood

You can't give here if you were there for over 3 months at any time, due to mad cow disease.

makes you wonder then if anyone in the UK can give blood. Do they have to import it?

[krabigirl]

14. Funny, since I am banned from giving blood in the US BECAUSE I lived in the UK in the 90s.

Apparently, I have mad cow disease since I lived there for a year.

[Clio the Leo]

7. kick! NT

[FrenchieCat]

9. I'll make my calls!

Thanks.

:patriot:

[deaniac83]

17. Thank you! n/t

[keopeli]

11. In my life, I've never been allowed to give blood.

These rules were adopted during the 80s AIDS scare when I turned 18. I expect the Red Cross will never want my blood. I actually have unusual blood - type B neg (not that this means anything). But, they don't want it. All because I'm gay and they're scarred.

Sad but true. I gave up hoping they would change long ago. Still, I'll contact the Congress critters for you. Just don't hold your breath...

[deaniac83]

19. I'm right there with you

but I'm an eternal optimist. I think we can change things. I think we can change this. Whatever the end result, we damn sure need to try. So thank you for contacting your members. :)

[Jennicut]

15. I will call Dodd. I can give blood, but am under some stricter guidelines

being diabetic. I have to have the same insulin dosage for the last two weeks, etc. before giving blood.
My sister in law had a tough delivery with her pregnancy recently. It was an emergency C-section and she lost some blood and needed 2 transfusions.
Blood is always needed here and it is ridiculous to stop certain people from giving something that is needed.

[deaniac83]

18. How's your sister now?

I hope she is doing well? And did she have a baby girl or a baby boy? :)

And thank you also for making the calls.

[Jennicut]

21. She had an 8 pound baby boy.

She named him Vincent. He is a cutie pie and my 4 and 5 year old daughters are so excited to have a cousin. My sister in law's name is Leigh. Leigh developed an infection from her c-section after getting out of the hospital, some sort of blood clot right where they closed her up. It has been a tough road for her. The baby is doing very well but she had the infection, plus a fever that she had for a week (!). My husband and his Mom and Leigh's husband were worried sick. Luckily, she is just starting to feel better after some good antibiotics and the fever is gone. This is why it is so important to let people donate blood and not discriminate. Leigh is a very healthy 30 year old woman but she had a bad delivery and none of us expected her to loose blood like that. It was really scary.

[deaniac83]

23. Glad Leigh is doing better

And tell Vincent hi for me, please! :)

[sce56]

20. I can't give blood either they refuse mine due to being stationed in Europe in 1980

TRAVEL and RESIDENCY OUTSIDE of the UNITED STATES

* England/United Kingdom - visited or lived in from 1980 to 1999: deferred indefinitely (this standard varies between United States FDA and The American Red Cross and the American Association of Blood Banks.
* Western Europe - visited or lived in since 1980 deferred indefinitely
* Lived or traveled in an area where Malaria is prevalent (Central America and South America, etc.): three-year deferral
* Other international travelers: different restrictions apply as precaution against mad cow disease, depending on what blood bank and region