By: Tim Smalarz
This past June, I did something I never thought I would be able to do: donate blood! About a month before the blood donation event at Christ Church Cranbrook, Roxanne Perry was handing out flyers, encouraging parishioners to donate. I was surprised when she asked me, as a gay man, since I had always been told I could not donate.
Roxanne informed me that, as of May 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lifted all restrictions specific to gay and bisexual men donating blood. A new blood donation risk assessment tool, which applies equally to every donor regardless of identity, was implemented in August of that same year. I was shocked to learn of this and immediately signed up.
The day of the event arrived, and although I was excited, I felt a bit nervous. The staff from Versiti, who conducted the blood drive, made the entire process—from start to finish—very pleasant! We shared stories and laughs while my blood was being drawn, which helped me feel at ease. I visited with the other donors and recovered with delicious treats from “Give Thanks Bakery” – a true reward! About a week later, I received a notice from Versiti informing me that my blood had been tested and was being used to make a difference in several people’s lives. Although I will never meet those I helped, it brought me great joy.
Every week, our clergy challenge us to go beyond the walls of Christ Church Cranbrook to serve and make a difference in our community. While donating blood takes place within the church walls, its impact reaches far beyond, touching the lives of our fellow brothers and sisters. I am grateful for Roxanne Perry’s encouragement and the work she and Tiffany Morris Street do to organize and run blood drives at our home church!
I am planning to donate again at the next blood drive scheduled for Thursday, September 19th from 12:30 to 6:30 pm. I hope you will join me in saving lives!
Volunteer At the Next CCC Drive Here: www.ccc-info.org/Drive
Tim, thank you for giving blood! That is wonderful!
Dear Tim–what wonderful news on all counts. I did not know that the restriction on gay + whatever persons had been lifted. Since I had not been sexually active during my adult life, I continued not only to donate but to organize blood drives at Cranbrook School and to teach students to regard donating as a duty and a privilege. Oddly, since I am now on blood-thinners, I am prohibited from giving blood, and this makes me rather sad. Like you, I treasured the idea that my plasma would soon be restoring to health some utter stranger. I miss that. Blessings on you for your donation and for your cheery article.