Blood Bank of Delmarva Prepares to Welcome Newly Eligible LGBTQ Donors

DELMARVA — Following changes to FDA policy and amidst a dyer need for blood donations, the Blood Bank of Delmarva is changing it’s donor screening process so that members of the LGBTQ+ community can present themselves to donate. 

On Monday, October 2nd, it will implement the new donor screen process that will focus on individual donor assessment, not sexual or gender identity. 

In preparation for this change, BBD has completed the adoption of the donor history questionnaire, updated and validated computer systems regulated by the FDA, trained staff, and updated operational procedures.

“This will be for a lot of donors, but one of the donor groups most specifically will be men who have had sex with men,” says Emily Cunningham, Vice President of the Blood Bank of Delmarva. “Back in the 1980’s, until very recently, they were discriminated against and not able to donate blood.”

Leaders at LGBTQ+ group CAMP Rehoboth say it’s a milestone that’s long overdue. 

“We are here to save a life and we’re here to donate blood for a great cause,” says Matty Brown with CAMP Rehoboth. “None of that should be a deterrent. At the end of the day, this blood is going to someone that really needs it.”

CAMP Rehoboth will partner with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to host a blood drive on November 11, 2023. It will be from 11am to 4pm at the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.

Cunningham says her team at the Blood Bank of Delmarva understands that some people may be concerned or uncomfortable with the new assessment questions. 

“When you or a loved one needs that blood or that blood product, you can rest assure that the Blood Bank of Delmarva has done everything we can to keep the blood supply safe and that these new changes are going to help us to get more donors through the door, which is what we need to save lives here on the peninsula,” says Cunningham. 

Those that think they are eligible to donate blood or who are interested in learning more can visit www.delmarvablood.org/IDA.