I have never thought that the operations of a blood center could be so complex. Let’s imagine the New York Blood Center for example: you serve 200 hospitals in New York and New Jersey, only by yourself; and every day you must be able to handle 2,000 donations on average. With ups and downs due to holidays and school breaks, blood shortage always being a threat, and frozen blood that takes about 24 hours to thaw (not a feasible resource in case of emergency), it is a real nightmare to face. In addition, you need to screen every donation you receive for nasty bugs such as HIV, hepatitis C and B, syphilis, and many more. And you have the tough job of convincing people to open their veins as well: 5% of eligible donors give blood in the USA, while only 2% donate in New York.

But I found out that being a donor could be tough as well. Let’s have a look at the FDA criteria for an acceptable donation. Most of them refer, quite obviously, to the fact that only healthy people should donate blood. No donations allowed if you don’t feel well, if you are taking drugs, or have an infection, if you have any symptoms of SARS, if you are pregnant, and so on.

Though some questions are…how shall I say it?…peculiar: “From 1980 through 1996 did you spend time that adds up to three months or more in the United Kingdom?” And on the same line: “From 1980 to the present did you spend time that adds up to five years or more in Europe?”

From the Old World myself, this was the first time that someone made me realize that my blood is somehow contaminated. I am quite happy with it, but apparently not everyone thinks it is good. However, since the manner of transmission of spongiform encephalitis is still not clear, and Europe is a “continent at risk,” I do understand and share the fears of the FDA.

But let’s go on: “Female donors: In the past 12 months have you had sexual contact with a male who has ever had sexual contact with another male?” Well, if you do, know that you are deferred for 12 months from the date of last “contact.” “Male Donors: From 1977 to the present have you had sexual contact with another male, even ONCE?” If you have, know that you are deferred indefinitely.

From these sentences, it seems that if a male had a single sexual experience in 1977 with another male, he is banned from any blood center, while his happy wife could donate blood after a period of abstinence (with her husband at least) of only one year. In contrast, it appears that if either a man or a woman has behavior which risks contacting sexually transmitted diseases, such as changing partners on a regular and frequent basis, it is possible to donate blood.

Preventing subgroups of the population that are at risk for blood transmissible diseases is a necessity and a moral obligation for the FDA and blood centers, but some of the requirements seem to be a holdover of the 70s; however, several centers have asked the FDA to change or reword some of them.

Since not everybody can donate blood, hope relies upon those who are willing to share a part of themselves with the community.

Thanks to the New York Blood Center for the statistical information.