Community Blood Center issued the following statement regarding Food and Drug Association (FDA) final guidance establishing a blood donor screening process based on Individual Donor Assessment
May 11, 2023 – Community Blood Center (CBC) is driven by our dedication to saving lives and strengthening the health of our communities. We cannot achieve this without the help of generous blood donors every day.
CBC has strived to build an inclusive environment that embraces diversity for all who engage with our lifesaving mission. For decades, we have strongly advocated for scientifically-based changes to the FDA policies about men who have sex with men (MSM) and support the shift to individual donor assessment to determine eligibility. The FDA has finalized recommendations for establishing a blood donor screening process based on Individual Donor Assessment.
Work has already begun to welcome newly eligible donors, a process that includes adopting the new donor history questionnaire, updating and validating computer systems regulated by the FDA, training staff, updating operational procedures and information systems. CBC expects to be able to welcome eligible donors in mid-November or sooner.