Petition deadline extended to Sept. 15 - rights of healthy gay Canadians to donate blood & organs

Delegates at the last two BCNU Conventions passed resolutions encouraging the federal government to develop non-discriminatory donor policies for people donating blood and organs.

Ending the lifetime ban that prevents men in same-sex relationships from donating blood and organs is an evidence-based approach already in practice in countries such as England, Scotland, Wales, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Japan.

That's why BCNU supports Windsor Pride's national petition asking the Government of Canada to end the discriminatory lifetime ban against men in same-sex relationships from donating blood, bone marrow and organs.

Windsor Pride's petition notes that pre-tested, healthy Canadians regardless of sexual preference should be able to donate blood, bone marrow and organs. And if there has been high-risk activity, then a 12-month waiting period should be imposed before a potential donor can give blood or donate organs.

BCNU encourages members to learn more about the issue and support this change in donor policy by signing and circulating the petition. Please note this is not an online petition and it needs to be downloaded, signed and returned by mail to the address noted on the petition information page.