blood donations

James Harrison, known as "the man with the golden arm," is pictured in 2003, when he was recognized for the number of times he had donated blood. At the time it was his 808th donation. The Australian man has now donated well over 1,000 times.

Australia's 'Man With The Golden Arm' Retires After Saving 2.4 Million Babies

5:38pm May 14, 2018

by Camila Domonoske

James Harrison, 81, has a rare antibody that can help treat a condition affecting pregnant women. He's donated plasma 1,173 times. But now he's aged out of the donation program.

All U.S. Blood Donations Should Be Screened For Zika, FDA Says

4:29pm August 26, 2016

by Joe Neel

The recommendations from the Food and Drug Administration represent a major expansion in testing blood for Zika. The agency had earlier advised testing only in areas with an active outbreak.

The "Missing Type" campaign aims to raise awareness about the need for blood donors.

H_spit_ls Need Y_ur Help: 'Missing Type' Campaign Urges Blood Donations

3:10pm August 16, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Around the world, A's, B's and O's are disappearing from signs. It's all part of a public awareness campaign spearheaded by the U.K.'s National Health Service.

Blood donations in the U.S. aren't routinely screened for the Zika virus.

Fearing Zika, FDA Asks 2 Florida Counties To Halt Blood Donations

5:27pm July 28, 2016

by Rae Ellen Bichell

Health officials put blood donations in South Florida on pause until it's known whether four cases of Zika virus were caused by mosquitoes in the U.S., or until blood donations can be screened.

People wait in line to donate blood at the OneBlood Donation Center in Orlando, Fla, on Sunday, after a mass shooting at a gay nightclub left at least 50 people dead and 53 injured.

National

Blood Banks See Massive Response After Orlando Attack

7:43pm June 12, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

People waited for hours to donate blood in support of those wounded in a mass shooting at a gay nightclub. But — as some noted with frustration — restrictions block many gay and bi men from donating.

Gay and bisexual men were banned from donating blood over concern that HIV could contaminate the blood supply.

FDA Lifts Ban On Blood Donations By Gay And Bisexual Men

8:22pm December 21, 2015

by Rob Stein

For three decades, men who have sex with men were barred from ever donating blood. A new policy will allow gay and bisexual men to donate, but only if they've been celibate for at least a year.

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James Harrison was recognized in 2003 with the Guinness World Record for the most blood donated by one person.

Health & Safety

'Man With The Golden Arm' Donates Blood That Has Saved 2 Million Babies

11:20am June 15, 2015

by NPR Staff

Australian James Harrison, 78, has been donating blood for the past 60 years. His plasma contains a rare antibody for a vaccine that protects pregnant women and babies with incompatible blood types.

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Health & Safety

New Blood Donation Rules Would Still Exclude Many Gay Men

8:46am December 26, 2014

by Steven W. Thrasher

The FDA recommends overturning a lifetime ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men. It's the right solution, but it still won't help me donate.

Several countries, including Australia, Japan and Great Britain, already encourage blood donations from some gay men.

FDA Considers Allowing Blood Donations From Some Gay Men

11:50am December 03, 2014

by Rob Stein

The lifetime ban on blood from any man who has had sex with men dates to the 1980s, before there was a good test to screen for HIV. Critics say the policy is outmoded and needlessly discriminatory.

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