tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612053.post1992048822742432342..comments2023-11-05T03:28:19.528-05:00Comments on So what can I do?: Give blood now, and again in 56 days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612053.post-28756780503193670652008-11-17T14:20:00.000-05:002008-11-17T14:20:00.000-05:00Q: Why can I only donate blood every 56 days?A: ...Q: Why can I only donate blood every 56 days?<BR/><BR/>A: Because it's takes your body 56 days to replenish your blood supply after donation.Karamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992377826071152236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612053.post-65364525229163697632007-09-07T14:40:00.000-04:002007-09-07T14:40:00.000-04:00Hello Anon,Thanks so much for your comment. I agre...Hello Anon,<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for your comment. I agree completely. Banning men who have sex with men (and their female partners) is outdated, discriminatory , and does not address the critical question: does this person's behavior put her or him at high risk for contracting and transmitting HIV. Hopefully these policies will change so that more healthy people, regardless of with whom they have sex, can donate blood and save lives.<BR/><BR/>Thanks also for mentioning the Canadian Red Cross. It's time for me to post again on blood and tissue donations (and time for my regular blood donation) and you've given me a good way to talk again about this important topic: blood donation outside the US.<BR/><BR/>I hope you enjoyed your visit, and please spread the word and come again.Karamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992377826071152236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612053.post-79882588842110333462007-09-07T14:29:00.000-04:002007-09-07T14:29:00.000-04:00Another positive thing people can do is promote a ...Another positive thing people can do is promote a change to Canadian Red Cross blood donor policies, so people like myself who can donate blood are not prevented from doing so simply because we're gay men. My risk factors for HIV are <I>much</I> lower than many straight women and men, as I have never had sex that has risk of HIV transmission. But because I have been sexually active with men, I can't give blood. Many of us are trying to change this policy, both so more people can safely donate blood and also so the blood supply is better protected (asking "are you a man who has had sex with men" is a lot less effective than asking "have you ever had unprotected sex", followed by a rapid HIV test for anyone who's not sure of their serostatus). This is a positive thing we can do to save lives!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com