MacRumors 2011 Blood Drive

[FreeState]

It's not. Risky male to female sex is also excluded (sleeping with anyone involved in the sex industry). It's a question of exposure to mixing blood, and thus communicating disease. Statistically, Male to Male sex increases that risk...

...The issue is that male to male sex by its very nature has a higher chance of passing on certain diseases than male to female. Risky male to female is also excluded (if you have slept with a prostitute or been in countries with high levels of disease)...

Arrgh! You cited the tamest statistic from the CDC article. Here are the others: 20% of gay men are HIV positive and 44% don't know it.

THAT is why the question is asked. As a future possible recipient of blood, I'm glad they ask it.

The question asked of heterosexuals =/= asked gay and bisexual men. The risk factor for straight people is risky sex, the risk factor asked for gay men is not risky sex, but sex at all - even once. Its not the same thing. If there was no bigotry behind the question it would be raised this way to all, no matter what orientation "have you had unprotected sex with more than one partner in the last 5 years, if yes have you been tested for HIV?"

 

[Al Coholic]

I have plenty of O+ to spare but it's about 90 Proof right now.

If it means anything I'm also an organ donor. (But I pity the poor bastard that gets my liver).

 

[Mariusz1977]

What's in it for me? Seriously, the owner of Macrumors makes $100K plus off this site (so much that he quit his job AS A DOCTOR.) Why should I give blood just to glorify the name of his website & make him richer?

What's in it for me?

 

[kalsta]

What's in it for me? Seriously, the owner of Macrumors makes $100K plus off this site (so much that he quit his job AS A DOCTOR.) Why should I give blood just to glorify the name of his website & make him richer?

What's in it for me?

I can't work out if humour was intended with this comment?

You can give blood and not tell anyone about it. Neither you nor MacRumors will get the glory, but you will have that small warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

 

[neko girl]

I found out I couldn't give any blood (for medical reasons). I'm O neg, and I wish I could.

Thank you very much to those who gave blood. <3

 

[mattwolfmatt]

What's in it for me? Seriously, the owner of Macrumors makes $100K plus off this site (so much that he quit his job AS A DOCTOR.) Why should I give blood just to glorify the name of his website & make him richer?

What's in it for me?

Weirdest comment ever. But, it did make me realize that perhaps arn's medical history has persuaded him to push for blood donation. Great!

 

[bikertwin]

While I'd like to applaud MacRumors for instituting a blood drive, it seems particularly cruel in that there is a larger percentage of gay men among Apple fans than in the general population.

And we can't donate.

For political reasons, not scientific ones.

Even the American Red Cross wants our blood:

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/14/ban-on-gay-men-donating-blood-upheld/

Talk about risk factors--what about closeted gay men who screw random strangers, having unprotected sex, and then go home to their cozy wife & kids? If their wife/workplace encourages them to donate blood, are they going to reveal their sexuality and not donate? Sure, they can go through the act and check the box so their blood gets thrown away... but if they're ****ing guys behind their wives' backs, why would they show any honesty or compassion for their fellow humans.

You know this must be happening every day. And yet where are the news stories of people being infected with HIV. There are none. Because we have tests now--we've had them for a while--to detect HIV. So the blood isn't used.

So why can't out gay men donate?

No scientific reason. It's political.

The Human Rights Campaign, the American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers and AABB, formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks, support easing the lifetime ban to allow gay blood donors. In a joint statement, the blood organizations said that safety was the first priority and that potential donors should be screened more fairly, regardless of sexual orientation.

About three months ago, Sen. John Kerry and 17 other senators signed a letter to the FDA blasting its "outdated" policy.

Gay men, including those who are in monogamous relationships, are forbidden from contributing blood for the rest of their lives, while "a heterosexual who has had sex with a prostitute need only wait a year [before giving blood]. That does not strike me as a sound scientific conclusion," Kerry wrote in a March 9 letter.

 

[MrMoore]

I, too, cannot donate due to past battles with non-hodgkins lymphoma. But I appreciate all who do. I've had both blood and platelet transfusions, so thank you!

 

[Doctor Q]

I must ask, how long has MacRumors been supporting blood drives and where did the relationship come from?

I don't totally see the connection, but I love this promotion. What a good cause!

As this site has grown from a small hobby site to one of the biggest Apple-related sites on the web, we've hoped to foster more community-oriented projects. We've participated in Folding@Home for years, and members have organized many other group activities themselves. When Shaun.P, a forum member dedicated to blood donation, brought up the idea of a blood drive last year, it just clicked with us. arn approved of the idea even though it's not related to our usual news and rumors. I'm a long-time proponent of blood/platelet donation myself (having donated over 60 units) so I was certainly in favor of it. The other administrators and moderators, some of whom have interests and knowledge that was directly relevant, helped work out the details for what an online blood drive would mean. So here we are!

 

[JohnnyQuest]

Arguments that gay people shouldn't be allowed to give blood? Really? I give way to much credit to society sometimes. Equating homosexuality to prostitution or drug use is so incredibly ignorant.

 

[KiraDouji]

The question asked of heterosexuals =/= asked gay and bisexual men. The risk factor for straight people is risky sex, the risk factor asked for gay men is not risky sex, but sex at all - even once. Its not the same thing. If there was no bigotry behind the question it would be raised this way to all, no matter what orientation "have you had unprotected sex with more than one partner in the last 5 years, if yes have you been tested for HIV?"

This. About ten million times.

 

[Andeavor]

The irony of a forum with a very large gay and bisexual membership to ask for blood donations is beyond ridiculous.

Think this through, MacRumors, think this through.

 

[neko girl]

The irony of a forum with a very large gay and bisexual membership to ask for blood donations is beyond ridiculous.

Think this through, MacRumors, think this through.

I think what good donating blood does is bigger than your sexual orientation, or mine. I would have died if not for donated blood, so maybe I'm biased, I don't know.

 

[Socratic]

Arguments that gay people shouldn't be allowed to give blood? Really? I give way to much credit to society sometimes. Equating homosexuality to prostitution or drug use is so incredibly ignorant.

Learn to read. You will be happier.

 

[Socratic]

The question asked of heterosexuals =/= asked gay and bisexual men. The risk factor for straight people is risky sex, the risk factor asked for gay men is not risky sex, but sex at all - even once. Its not the same thing. If there was no bigotry behind the question it would be raised this way to all, no matter what orientation "have you had unprotected sex with more than one partner in the last 5 years, if yes have you been tested for HIV?"

I don't buy it for all the reasons previously given. If it was not a medical issue why is it such a common rule across so many western countries? And why does it not apply to gay women?

 

[d4rkc4sm]

The irony of a forum with a very large gay and bisexual membership to ask for blood donations is beyond ridiculous.

Think this through, MacRumors, think this through.

why mr has large gay/bi members?

 

[Bing80]

I'm giving blood tomorrow - albeit in Norway

 

[okdaa]

I started donating blood before I joined MacRumors, sorry

 

[DoNoHarm]

What's in it for me? Seriously, the owner of Macrumors makes $100K plus off this site (so much that he quit his job AS A DOCTOR.) Why should I give blood just to glorify the name of his website & make him richer?

What's in it for me?

Soooo.... He should shut down this site and go back to being a doctor? Would THAT make you comfortable to donate blood? Does quitting his job make him ineligible to do further public health work?

I'm having difficulty understanding your logic, unless.... You're jealous of him. That fits perfectly.

 

[stridemat]

The irony of a forum with a very large gay and bisexual membership to ask for blood donations is beyond ridiculous.

Think this through, MacRumors, think this through.

Why would it be ironic? Giving blood is a selfless act and anything that helps increase stocks is a positive.

 

[28monkeys]

Blood transfusions have quite literally saved my life - twice - yet I am ineligible to give due to a past cancer.

If you can, please give. You'll help people like me live to see another Mac.

Very touching.

 

[roadbloc]

The irony of a forum with a very large gay and bisexual membership to ask for blood donations is beyond ridiculous.

Think this through, MacRumors, think this through.

Wat? Large number of gay and bisexual members? I wasn't aware of this.

There are other reasons you cannot give blood other than being gay. Being asthmatic and once addicted to illegal drugs are the reasons I cannot give. I'm sure other reasons exists such as other diseases or lifestyle choices.

 

[blow45]

I wouldnt imagine what arn would put on the front page had it been a sperm donor fund....

 

[eawmp1]

what a horrid picture on the front!

I wouldnt imagine what arn would put on the front page had it been a sperm donor fund....

Unless you have something positive (like blood) to contribute to what is a worthy, life-saving endeavor, please refrain from gracing us with your wisdom. If the subject and/or photos offend you, don't click on the thread.

 

[K4LK]

Thanks to those of you who can donate. I was an active donor until a defibrillator implant 5 years ago deferred me for life