New blood donation policy in support of the LGBTQ community

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Help could be on the way for blood banks looking to boost supplies that have dwindled since the holidays. The FDA's recommending a policy change that could allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood.

We've been treated like we're less than and this is one step forward, closer towards equality in health care," said Cole Williams, Pride and Plasma founder.

Cheers from the LGBTQ+ community. These seats could soon be filled with a group of people who've been excluded for decades.

"So, I think we were making this change because we believe that there will be no change to risk in the blood supply in terms of HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C," said Dr. Peter Marks, FDA Center for Biologics evaluation and research director.

Gay and bisexual men have been shut out of blood centers since the 1980s. Back then, the FDA decided it was best, due tothe spread of Aids.

In a statement, the Red Cross said they are "recognizing the hurt this policy has caused", saying these are just the first steps in repairing relationships with the broader LGBTQ community.

And Versiti, which is Milwaukee's number one blood supplier forhospital systems here, said, "We stand in full support of efforts to make blood donation more inclusive"saying theirtop priority is the safety of donors.

New federal guidelines returning this right to these men isn't yet approved. The public has 60 days to comment. The FDA will look at those comments, then issue a final ruling.

Right now, there's a blood supply shortage. That started around the holidays.

A month later, the number of donors hasn't picked up at Versiti.

"Part of that is the winter weather, those are all things that we expect. Seasonal illness ticking back up," said Kristin Paltzer, Versiti Blood Center's PR manager.

Not at critical levels today, but blood bank numbers are subject to quick change.

"There's definitely been an uptick in mass transfusions. So, trauma patients coming in the hospitals that require masks, so somebody could come into the hospital and use up to 100 units of blood. So, if you have one or two of those in a weekend, it could wipe out the available blood supply," said Paltzer.

Anyone who would like to weigh in on the FDA's decision can do so through this link to submit a public comment.