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P/CLOUDY Temp: 63 °F Wind: NNW at 14 mph Saturday, June 21, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 29, 2003 Red Cross policy concerns will go to national level By TONY BOOM Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Student concerns that American Red Cross blood donation polices discriminate against gay men will be forwarded to national officials, a regional Red Cross representative told a Southern Oregon University forum on Wednesday. Students decided in mid-May not to hold a blood drive in part because of discrimination concerns. The decision generated national media attention. As many as 40 people were present during portions of the 90-minute discussion. A moderator asked questions submitted by the audience. Lance Trainor, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross’ Portland-based Pacific Northwest Region, said "We’d like to have this evaluated at the national level." But he couldn’t commit the Red Cross to ask for a change in policy through the federal Food and Drug Administration’s Blood Policy Advisory Committee. The FDA sets regulations on blood donations, including screening criteria designed to reduce the risk of AIDS or HIV transmission. All donors are asked a series of screening questions before blood is drawn. FDA requirements prohibit donations by males who have had sex with another male since 1977. But a woman who had sex with a man who had sexual contact with another male only has to wait a year before she can give blood. Advertisement "There are differences here that don’t match up," said David Adkins-Brown, a student senator and a panel member. "Women wait a year. Men, you wait forever." Adkins-Brown promoted a petition that said the guidelines violate the school’s anti-discrimination policy. Although only 12 students signed the petition, it was also supported by the Lesbian Bisexual Gay Trans and Allies Student Union and the Multi-Cultural Center, which represents five other groups. Student advocate Amanda Guidero, who organized two blood drives earlier in the year, decided to cancel the latest one because of a lack of time for planning and because of the discrimination issue. Associated Students President Danielle McNeill supported her decision. "The issue marginalizes (gay) men as people to be feared," said Deanna Leitner, of the gay student union. "We have never been against the Red Cross. We are seeking a way to rectify the Red Cross and SOU policy." But different criteria could lead to more HIV infection, Trainor said. "If this (standard) were relaxed there would be (infected blood) units that would get through all the screening practices in place," said Trainor. "There is a fallibility to this (blood) testing. They are not 100 percent reliable, so we have to add screening." The blood supply now is safer than ever, said Trainor. Risk of HIV transmission is 1 in every 2.1 million transfusions. Trainor said he didn’t know of another blood drive canceled over the policy but said it happens occasionally and "there’s been more interest" since the issue came up at SOU. "The current standards are indefinite, not permanent," said Darrin Greenlee, Red Cross regional director of donor services. The policy committee at a September 2000 meeting discussed a five- year deferral on donations from men who had sex with another man, but did not change the standard. "We must have confidence and trust in our blood supply, but if we accept every single policy we are hindering our growth," said Susan Peterson-Aynes, SOU’s health and wellness educator. Reach Ashland bureaureporter Tony Boomat 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times