WINNIPEG — The every day purpose of a blood donor clinic is to save lives, but on Monday a downtown clinic also wanted to change attitudes and raise awareness. Manitoba’s first ally clinic accepted donations on behalf of Manitoba men who can’t donate because of their sexual history.
“A lot of folks don’t know about the policy, and so the goal is to as of today or at least one of the goals is to raise awareness about that policy,” Jonathan Niemczak, president of Pride Winnipeg said.
Health Canada has a policy in place prohibiting men who have sex with other men from donating for five years after their last sexual experience. It’s a policy that Pride Winnipeg said creates a stigma. “It does reinforce that idea that AIDS is a gay disease. And it can create some self esteem issues,” Niemczak said.
Blood donations were collected Monday on behalf of Manitoban men who have sex with other men.
“I like to donate blood anyway, just to help save a life and also I think this is a great cause raising awareness to this policy,” Stephanie English, one of the allies said.
Before 2013 the five year ban was a lifetime ban. Pride Winnipeg hopes to see that window of time change to 12 months. The policy change requires approval from Health Canada.
Blood Services exceeded their goal of 96 units by the end of Monday, with 103 units donated in total.
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