Donating Blood?

Question

Why is there always a shortage? Why dont more people do it? I tried but I was told I couldnt. Does anyone work for a blood center? Why cant gays donate?

I havent had sex yet and I told her that and she said she couldnt just take my word on it. But, isnt that all they can do with all the other questions? "Are you donating as a sole reason to get an AIDS screen?" Do they honestly think ppl who are are gonna say yes??? Thats all they can do is take ppls words for it. I was really upset.

Answer 1

Why is there always a shortage?
Most people tend to be "too busy" to take the time to drive all the way to a blood bank (or other donation center) and it is not on their minds until a loved one need help.

Why don’t more people do it?
Some people are restricted due to health issues and some just don't plan a time to make regular donations.

I tried but I was told I couldn't. Does anyone work for a blood center?
I don't. Sorry

Why cant gays donate?
Because of the heightened possibility of the HIV and AIDS viruses in the blood. Gays are more likely to contract HIV and AIDS than heterosexuals. For this reason, Gays and Lesbians are banned from donating blood.

They will also ban anybody who tests positive for Hepatitis and other illnesses.

Answer 2

There are shortages because most people do not donate. People who sell their blood to blood centers make money from it. In order to get the money to pay them, the blood centers must also sell the blood. The Red Cross does blood donations and gives the blood away.

There is no rule stating that gays can't give blood, but there are rules about what kinds of activities people can take part in and still be able to give because they have to make sure the blood is safe for those receiving it and also that it is safe for the person to lose that amount of blood. Many people on blood pressure medication can't give, for example.

Also, there are guidelines about how often individuals can give in order to keep them healthy. A lot of stuff has to be done to the blood before it can actually be used in a medical setting, and a lot of blood that seems fine when it is donated actually ends up being unusable.

Finally, there is also the fact that when someone needs blood, they will likely need many pints of it (during surgery or becuase of a bad accident, etc.) This takes a lot of people's donations to help one person. During unscheduled events most people are given O- blood because it is the universal type and their body won't reject it. This type of blood is, therefore, needed much more than any other - it is also one of the rarest types and, therefore, hardest to get and keep in stock.

These are just some of the reasons why there are always seems to be a shortage of blood. The reasons why people do or don't give are just as numerous, but we would probably all be better off if more of us gave - myself included since I can't because I'm a needle-phobe.

Answer 3

Most blood donation centers label gays as high risk individuals for blood bourne diseases and STDs. And lets face it, gays tend to be promiscuous as a group....not all, but most. Why risk putting infected blood out into the general population?
And there is a shortage, because in this country we do not make use of cadaverous blood, as is done in much of the rest of the world. And not enough healthy individuals within the "safe" population will take the time to donate. Not saying that any of the above information is "right", but it is the reality.

Answer 4

It's simple, just don't tell them your gay. It's pretty lame we live in a world that asks for donations then denies them based on a persons sexual preference. It should have nothing to do with it. I'm assuming they won't let you donate because your gay so they will think of AIDS as a possibility, which is so dumb because a straight person can sleep around, do drugs etc just as much/easily as any gay person could.
Next time you apply to donate just don't mention your gay. They screen all blood before they transfuse someone with it anyways.

Answer 5

The person who told you that was clearly wrong. ALL blood is tested before it is administered to a patient. Even her reason does not make sense. Sexually transmitte diseases are not limited to gay people. Taking someones word for it makes no sense at all.

YOUR blood is needed, because of exactly the reasons you mentioned. Not enough people donate. I would be curious to know how it came out, that time, that you are gay. Did she come out and ask? That is NOT one of the standard questions aske during the screening.

The screening IS done to screen out for various diseases and conditions that might exclude someone. Makes sense to eliminate some problems present in blood donations BEFORE it is taken. Gayness is not one of them.

You may not be the only gay donor in your area turned down. Blood banks may be very interested in hearing your story. There is a potential of a lot of life saving blood going to waste because of someone's homophobic attitude. I suggest you report your experience to the local agency accepting blood. I would also send a letter to the national office of that agency, in case the local office is the reason for the screener's attitude.

Answer 6

You pretty much answered your own question. The blood collection organizations have become so suspicious and make the giving of blood so difficult that people don't feel that the hassle is worth it.
Gays can't donate because they are in a high-risk category and it is easier for the organization to ban gays than to check the blood properly.

Answer 7

Blood donation does not do any harm to the body. After the donation your body enhances the formation of blood with in a week or even less ,so why to be afraid of donating blood. It save so many lives.

Answer 8

I'm surprised to hear that they rejected your donation for blood seeing as canadian blood service always asks for donations .. whether money for funding or blood for helping people .. did they tell you why they couldn't let you donate? maybe the person who you spoke to was a trainee volunteer...

As far as gays not being able to donate..this is the first i've heard of it ... dangerous question here on this part

Answer 9

I can't give either, because I lived in Germany in the late '80s. (fear of Mad Cow). They have to screen for anything, and be extra cautious.

Watch "And the band played on" about the discovery of the AIDS epidemic. The politics about screening blood (and the $$ aspects) delayed blood screening, and too many people contracted AIDS from transfusions (Arthur Ashe, Ryan White).

Be glad they are careful, you, or someone you love, might need to receive blood someday, it needs to be as safe as possible!

Answer 10

Many people just fear the process especially, the needles! Many people who wish to donate aren't always able to though. So, its really no body's fault. They are very strict on who can donate, and its probably not a gay thing, just certain people who don't meet the criteria to donate.