San Diego Blood Financial institution Begins New LGBTQ+ Inclusive Blood Donor Screening

The San Diego Blood Financial institution started welcoming newly eligible donors Friday, following the Meals and Drug Administration steering this yr establishing a blood donor screening course of primarily based on particular person donor assessments as an alternative of sexual orientation.
Now, each potential donor, no matter gender or sexual orientation, will probably be evaluated utilizing the identical particular person donor evaluation questions related to HIV.
“San Diego Blood Financial institution has at all times prioritized the security of our blood provide, and this modification will certainly contribute to an much more sturdy stock for sufferers domestically and all through the nation,” mentioned San Diego Blood Financial institution CEO Doug Morton. “Our programs at the moment are up to date, and we’re excited to welcome new donors into our household.”
The change makes blood donation accessible to extra folks, together with many within the LGBTQ+ group who could have in any other case been excluded. The change additionally aligns the US with different nations who’ve carried out comparable modifications together with Canada and the UK.
By basing an individual’s skill to donate on their particular person donor evaluation moderately than sexual orientation, extra homosexual and bisexual males will now be capable of safely donate blood, an announcement from the blood financial institution reads.
To be eligible to donate blood, you should be a minimum of 17 years previous, weigh a minimum of 114 kilos, and be generally good well being. Eligible blood donors can schedule an appointment at SanDiegoBloodBank.org or by calling 619-400-8251. Stroll-ins are welcome.
Metropolis Information Service contributed to this text.