Media Contact: Mike Sagara
(520) 403-7408 | aznmmedia@redcross.org

Phoenix, ARIZ, (October 6 2025) October is LGBTQ+ History Month. More people are now able to donate blood thanks to updated Food and Drug Administration guidelines that have eliminated eligibility questions based on sexual orientation. As a result, LGBTQ+ donors are emerging as vital contributors to our nation’s blood supply. The Red Cross celebrates this historic change and welcomes those who may be newly eligible to donate.

• Since implementing the updated FDA guidelines in August 2023, which eliminated policies based on sexual orientation, the Red Cross has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from the community, including new blood donors, new blood drive hosts, and new volunteers engaging in our mission.
• In the first two years since the Red Cross implemented the FDA’s updated guidelines, more than 10% of individuals in our system who had previously received the three-month deferral under the prior policy, who were informed about the change, have returned to donate. About 60% of these individuals have already donated more than once since the change.
• The Red Cross has partnered with the LGBTQ+ community to host nearly 100 blood drives that have resulted in about 2,500 blood donations for patients.
• We are encouraged to see this positive response and want the community to know that all are welcome in our mission, regardless of whether they can donate blood.
   

Get into the spirit of saving lives. To book a time to give blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or download the Blood Donor App.

• As a thank-you, all who come to give Sept. 22-Oct. 19, 2025, will get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email! See RedCrossBlood.org/Fall.
• All who come to give Oct. 20-Nov. 16, 2025, will get a $10 e-gift card to their choice of merchant, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of three $5,000 prizes! See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest.
   

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.