Unless something has changed in the last few months, one thing they could do if they wanted to alleviate this would be allowing men who have sex with men to have the same ability to donate blood...
Unless something has changed in the last few months, one thing they could do if they wanted to alleviate this would be allowing men who have sex with men to have the same ability to donate blood as everyone else. As of the most recent articles I can find, you cannot donate blood for 3mo if you're a man who has sex with men (MSM) or a woman who has had sex with a man who has sex with other men. Which I guess is an improvement because last time I had paid attention it was within 1yr. So we've shaved off 9 months of the window...
Either way, I wish I could help but I can't. Autoimmune disorder has meant I've been not allowed to donate since birth :/ sucks cus I would love to.
Thanks for posting this. I've only donated once since the pandemic started. They've been sending me emails telling me the supply is critically low, but honestly it's a "boy who cried wolf"...
Thanks for posting this. I've only donated once since the pandemic started. They've been sending me emails telling me the supply is critically low, but honestly it's a "boy who cried wolf" scenario because they've spammed me constantly for years, so now I just ignore them. At least this has made me aware it's a real problem, not their standard annoying email.
The nation's blood supply is dangerously low, prompting the Red Cross to announce a national blood crisis for the first time.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decline in donor turnout, the cancellation of blood drives and staffing challenges, leading to the worst blood shortage in more than a decade, the Red Cross said. Last year, the Red Cross saw a 34% decline in new donors.
"If the nation's blood supply does not stabilize soon, life-saving blood may not be available for some patients when it is needed," it warned in a joint statement with America's Blood Centers and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies.
Blood centers across the U.S. have reported less than a one-day supply of some blood types, the statement added.
Unless something has changed in the last few months, one thing they could do if they wanted to alleviate this would be allowing men who have sex with men to have the same ability to donate blood as everyone else. As of the most recent articles I can find, you cannot donate blood for 3mo if you're a man who has sex with men (MSM) or a woman who has had sex with a man who has sex with other men. Which I guess is an improvement because last time I had paid attention it was within 1yr. So we've shaved off 9 months of the window...
Either way, I wish I could help but I can't. Autoimmune disorder has meant I've been not allowed to donate since birth :/ sucks cus I would love to.
Thanks for posting this. I've only donated once since the pandemic started. They've been sending me emails telling me the supply is critically low, but honestly it's a "boy who cried wolf" scenario because they've spammed me constantly for years, so now I just ignore them. At least this has made me aware it's a real problem, not their standard annoying email.