Research may ease limits on gay blood donors

Canada’s blood supply dips as limits on gay donors persist, Aug. 11

Thank you for reporting on Canada’s constant need for blood donations. Blood and blood products are an integral part of Canada’s health system.

As Canadian Blood Services (CBS) works to collect the necessary amount of donations, we also work to promote health and wellness of our donors. As noted in your article, eligibility criteria evolve. CBS is dedicated to being as minimally restrictive as possible, and maintain the safety of the blood supply. I was disappointed that your story was not completely reflective of that commitment, particularly as it relates to men who have sex with men.

Canadian Blood Services, in partnership with Héma-Québec and with funding from Health Canada, is supporting research projects investigating eligibility criteria and screening processes for men who have sex with men.

Launched in February, this program, with an investment of $2.75 million, provides competitive funding to research teams to close the knowledge gaps. The goal of this program is to generate adequate evidence to inform alternative screening approaches for blood and plasma donors, which could evolve the current eligibility criteria for men who have sex with men.

This new research must be done to generate the scientific evidence required for low-risk men who have sex with men to be identified and included as eligible donors, while maintaining the safety of the blood supply for patients. Isabelle Robillard, communications director, Canadian Blood Services

I have donated blood many times but I am reluctant to make another appointment. Canadian Blood Service calls to book an appointment but this is not a commitment to the donor to respect their time. A donor with an “appointment” is put into the same queues as someone who walks through the door.

On my last visit, it took two hours to complete the process when it should have taken one. I did not feel valued or respected. Chris Shea, Markham