BLOOD DONATION

Hi there, 
 
Firstly I would like to thank you for writing this artice. A lot of noise has been made about this subject in recent months but the concern shown at the time seems to be fading away, where I think this issue should be on the front page of the newspaper every day until things change! So thanks for shedding some more light on the matter! 
 
This is a subject I take very seriousley, I find it appauling that, were I be in a position to help someone who is dying by providing a little of my blood for their transfusion, I would be refused! Does this rule apply to organ donation and bone marrow also? 
 
I cannot beleive that a spokesperson for the American Red Cross actually said “gay blood” in a statement about this travesty of justice! That, to me, just adds insult to injury! After viewing appeal after appeal from the blood transfusion service emploring people to give just one pint, which could save someone's life I find it strange that they don't add a comment in at the end of the ad saying "oh, but if it's 'gay blood' we don't want it."! 
 
This rule may have gone unchallenged in 1977, but we are living in a world where "equality is paramount", yet the homosexual population are being shunted out the back door of the transfusion service! Just look at the stats on the increase of the HIV and AIDS infection in heterosexual people! It's not fair that someone who is just as at risk, if not more so, than I am should be allowed to donate and I can't! 
 
I came out of a five year relationship over a year ago, the reason we split up was because I found out that my bf had been cheating on me. So, I got tested, waited 3 months and got tested again, and had another test done 3 months after that (just to be sure). Since my last relationship I have not had sex with anyone and know for a fact that I am at no risk of having HIV or AIDS. Yet, the transfusion service will still not allow me to give blood, when they are in such high demand for it. 
 
If they are going to allow this rule to stay in place they must add make some changes, for instance; anyone who has ever had a tatoo or body peircing (thus putting themselves at risk) should be banned. Any hetrosexual woman who has ever had sex with a bisexual man (thus putting herself at risk) should also be banned, current or former drug abusers, medical professionals getting stuck with a needle by accident, the list would be endless and the blood stocks would run dry. What they should remember is that sex (never mind the gender of each participant) is not the only way that these horrible infections spread! 
 
Wow, I do go on a bit, don't I!?! Hope it made some sense! 
 
Thanks 
 
Pt

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