Versiti - Welcoming More Donors: Strengthening Our Community, Saving More Lives | Learn About Blood Donation

Welcoming More Donors: Strengthening Our Community, Saving More Lives

A New Era in Blood Donation: What You Need to Know

At Versiti, we believe that saving lives is a shared commitment. Thanks to new guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we are proud to welcome even more donors into our community.

On August 28, 2023, Versiti began implementing the FDA's updated individual risk assessment approach for blood donation. This change is rooted in years of evidence-based research and reflects a growing commitment to fairness, science, and the health of every donor and every patient.

How the New Guidelines Work

All potential donors, regardless of sexual orientation, are now asked the same screening questions about recent sexual behavior. This approach recognizes that infectious diseases like HIV can affect anyone.

  • Donors are asked if they have had new and/or multiple sexual partners in the past three months.
  • If the answer is "no," the donor moves forward in the donation process without additional questions.
  • If "yes," donors are asked if they have engaged in anal sex with any of those partners within the past three months.
  • If the answer is "yes," a temporary three-month deferral is applied from the most recent occurrence.
  • If the answer is "no," and all other eligibility criteria are met, the donor can give blood.

This risk-based screening model is rooted in science and applied fairly to every individual.

Building a Healthier Future Together

Versiti remains committed to growing a vibrant and varied blood supply that reflects the communities we serve. We continue to advance practices based on science, stewardship, and the needs of both donors and patients.

At the heart of everything we do is a simple truth: Every eligible donor matters. Every gift of blood carries hope, healing, and life to someone in need.

For additional details about the FDA’s guidance, visit the FDA website.

Hope. It's in Our Blood.

Thank you for considering blood donation. Your compassion strengthens our entire community and gives life to those who need it most.

 

The new 2023 FDA Guidance no longer defers men who have sex with men and deems this gender-based question irrelevant to establishing blood donor eligibility. Instead, eligibility is based new guidelines that evaluate all donors equally regardless of gender or preferred partners and consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of sexual orientation.

There is no deferral for women who have sex with other women.

Individuals who do not have sex with other people may be eligible to donate.

The FDA guidance states, “In the context of the donor history questionnaire, FDA recommends that male or female gender be taken to be self-identified and self-reported.” This means that you can answer “male” or “female” on the donor questionnaire as you self-identify. Your eligibility is based on the donor criteria of your reported gender.

Our staff members are required to confirm your demographic information, including gender, but if our records have the incorrect gender, you may ask for it to be changed. You do not need to tell Versiti staff at the donation site that you are transgender. However, if you have previously donated at Versiti and have changed your name as well, it is important to link your old donation record with your current one. You may request this update prior to your donation by calling Versiti customer service.

The 2023 FDA guidance based on behavior applies to trans donors regardless of gender identity. The new Donor History Questionnaire is gender-neutral and will pose all questions to all donors regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. Transgender individuals are welcome to donate blood.

The FDA requires donors to select either male or female when completing their donor questionnaire. You do not need to tell Versiti staff that you are intersex.

We welcome all prospective blood donors and understand that there’s a difference between biological sex and gender. However, the FDA requires donors to select either “male” or “female” when completing their donor questionnaire.

Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of sexual orientation. So if you have been deferred for having sex with a man in the past that deferral is terminated and you are eligible to donate if you meet all current criteria.

Yes. If your permanent deferral was because of MSM contact, you may be eligible to donate now.

Yes, if you have been with your partner more than three months. Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of sexual orientation

Yes. This is an FDA regulation and we are required by law to abide by it.

Unfortunately, no, the FDA guidance does not allow us to consider condom use. While an excellent sexual health practice, condom use isn’t included as an evidence-based method of screening donors because condoms are not always effective and can break or slip. The new screening questions are not comprehensive in asking about safe sexual practices, such as condom use, that can effectively mitigate the risk of acquiring HIV.   The updated questions are designed to be applied as broadly as possible to screen a large number of potential donors and identify the possibility of new exposures to certain viruses within the window period of testing platforms.

If it has been more than 3 months since your last sexual encounter with another man, you may be eligible to donate blood. Visit our Blood Donation FAQ page to confirm your eligibility.

Yes. Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.

Yes. Under the 2023 FDA guidance eligibility will be based on the new guidelines that consider anal sex with new or multiple partners in the last three months regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation

Donor eligibility criteria for transgender donors aren’t affected by whether or not you’ve had any kind of gender-affirmation surgery.

There is no deferral for HRT that has been prescribed to you by a physician. However, if you are taking acne medication to treat side effects of testosterone HRT, you may be deferred. Check the medication deferral list  to confirm your eligibility.

Yes. Every donated unit of blood, platelets and plasma undergoes rigorous testing for a number of infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis and more. If a unit of blood passes these tests, it is considered safe for patients.

No. If you are currently taking medication to prevent HIV infection (such as PreP, PEP, Truvada, Descovy, Apretude) you are not eligible to donate. Those who take oral PrEP or PEP are deferred from donation for three months from their most recent use. For those who have received PrEP by injection, the deferral is two years from the most recent injection. These medications are important to sexual health. If you are currently taking medication to prevent HIV infection you should not stop the medication for the purpose of donating blood.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective medication regimen used for HIV prevention.   In people taking PrEP or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), low levels of HIV may be missed by current testing methods. The blood community relies on accurate HIV testing as part of its multilayered approach to safety. There needs to be more research on how PrEP and PEP affect HIV testing

There are lots of ways to get involved in Versiti’s lifesaving mission, including:

UPDATE: FDA Proposes Individual Risk Assessment for Blood Donations January 27, 2023, for more information visit the FDA website.

According to their website, “The FDA will closely monitor the effects of the current changes over the next few years in order to help ensure that blood safety is maintained. At the same time, the FDA will continue to work in this area and review its donor deferral policies to ensure they reflect the most up-to-date scientific knowledge. This process must be data-driven, so the timeframe for future changes is not something that can be predicted.”

Versiti’s research has been used to support modifying the MSM donor policy to make blood donation more accessible. However, the FDA regulates blood donation requirements at the federal level.

To help support changing these laws, please contact your state’s elected representatives.

 

Every day, patients in your community need blood transfusions to survive and thrive. They rely on the generosity of donors like you, who help ensure a safe, healthy blood supply. Make an appointment to donate blood today.

 
Blood Donation Locations
Find a Versiti blood donation center and search for a blood drive near you. Make an appointment to donate blood today.
 
Importance of a Vibrant Blood Supply
When you give blood, you offer hope. A more varied donor community means more lives saved and healthier futures made possible.
 
Host A Blood Drive
Blood drive organizations save lives. Learn how to host a blood drive in your community with Versiti.
 
Blood Types Explained
Find the facts about different blood types, from A+ to O-. Learn more about why people have different blood types before your next blood donation.
 
Funding Research
Versiti Blood Research Institute Foundation accepts financial and philanthropic gifts from donors, which helps to propel lifesaving research.
 
Versiti Partnerships
Versiti community partners and sponsors include amateur and professional sports teams, restaurants, entertainment venues, nonprofits, and more.
 
Volunteering with Versiti
Versiti volunteers provide an invaluable service to our lifesaving mission. Learn more about Versiti’s volunteer services and how you can serve your community.