In a statement, a spokesperson for AABB indicated the organization had been waiting on the FDA to complete a formal review process which was not complete until May 5. Many blood centers have indicated they were also waiting on an updated blood donor history questionnaire produced by AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks), which accredits the majority of blood banks in the U.S. We're working as quickly as possible and we expect to welcome these newly eligible donors at the beginning of June."
It will take time for us to modify our computer systems and donor questionnaires, and to train staff on new guidelines. This will allow us to grow our pool of potential donors at a critical time and will help ensure a robust blood supply for our communities in the weeks and months ahead. "We have been pushing the FDA to make these scientifically-based changes for decades, and we will continue to advocate for further changes to this policy as scientific data permits. "New York Blood Center is pleased with this new guidance," wrote the NYBC spokesperson. In a statement, a spokesperson for the New York Blood Center, one of the largest, community-based, non-profit blood collection organizations in the country, indicated NYBC has long advocated for the FDA to lift blood donation restrictions on gay and bisexual individuals. Hoylman had been among multiple lawmakers who wrote the FDA requesting it eliminate the barriers to blood donations for gay men as the COVID-19 pandemic strained the nation's blood supply. The new guidelines require abstinence from sex with another man for only three months. On April 2, the FDA changed its guidelines, which previously barred gay and bisexual men from donating blood if they had had sex with a man within the prior year. It's insulting to LGBTQ people, and it sends a really negative message." The fact that I couldn't do so makes me feel like a second class citizen. "The federal government is encouraging citizens to donate blood during this pandemic. "I found, as a gay man, it was entirely insulting to be turned away by the New York Blood Center," Hoylman said.