AMA president donates blood for the first time

WAUWATOSA, Wis. — Jesse Ehrenfeld has dedicated his life to helping others.

He’s an anesthesiologist at Froedtert Hospital, a professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is also the current president of the American Medical Association. 

As a gay man, he’s never been able to donate blood.

“Since the dawn of the AIDS crisis in the 80s, gay men have been banned regardless if they’re HIV negative, if they’re engaging in risky behavior or not,” said Ehrenfeld. “There was just a blanket ban on anyone who happens to identify as gay or men who have sex with men.”

Throughout his residency, he sat on the sidelines as he watched his peers donate blood.

After being born at 29 weeks, his son needed a blood transfusion.

“I still remember being in the hospital and talking to the doctors, the care team and my husband about how we couldn’t actually give blood at that particular moment because the policy hadn’t been changed in 2019 and how hurtful that felt that this discriminatory policy that was not rooted in science persisted,” said Ehrenfeld.  

Ever since that moment, he said he’s wanted to help others in the same way that people helped his son.

Now, that’s become possible. A recent policy change by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows gay men to give blood. 

“I’ll undergo a quick health screening,” said Ehrenfeld. “It’s a form that I’ll fill out like every other donor, but this time there won’t be a box that says if you’re gay, you’re no longer eligible, so that’s very exciting.” 

Gitesh Dubal is the chief marketing officer at Versiti.

Dubal said all potential donors will be screened with a new questionnaire that evaluates individual risks for HIV based on sexual behavior, recent partners and other factors. 

“There are other tests that are done afterwards to ensure that the blood supply is safe and is tested for dozens of other agents to make sure it’s safe for those that need it,” said Dubal.

He said 36% of Americans are eligible to donate but only 3% are donating. Donating is something Ehrenfeld said he’ll continue doing. 

“I hope people in the LGBTQ community recognize this as a very positive development. It’s a step towards equity and equality,” said Ehrenfeld.

He said blood is a precious and scarce resource and is now encouraging others in the LGBTQ+ community to donate.