An expected change in FDA policy would make it easier for men who have sex with men to donate blood. Toby Talbot/AP hide caption
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A phlebotomist tends to a blood donor during the Starts, Stripes, and Pints blood drive event in Louisville, Ky., in July. Rising numbers of organ transplants, trauma cases, and elective surgeries postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic have caused an increase in the need for blood products. Jon Cherry/Getty Images hide caption
Gay and bisexual men in England, Scotland, and Wales can now donate blood, plasma and platelets under certain circumstances without having to wait three months, the National Health Service announced this week. Wilfredo Lee/AP hide caption
The U.K. announced new rules for blood donation that are defined by individual behaviors, rather than sexuality and gender. Piyanat Booncharoen / EyeEm/Getty Images/EyeEm hide caption
Lillan Bloodworth (left) with her late husband John Bloodworth, at their home in Gulf Breeze, Fla. Lillian, now 92, donated 23 gallons of blood over five decades. Courtesy of the Bloodworth family hide caption
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 products. At the time it was his 808th donation. The Australian man has now donated well over 1,000 times. David Gray/Reuters hide caption
The FDA says that facilities that collect blood donations throughout the United States should be testing donations for Zika within 12 weeks. Toby Talbot/AP hide caption
The "Missing Type" campaign aims to raise awareness about the need for blood donors. NHS hide caption
Blood donations in the U.S. aren't routinely screened for the Zika virus. Chris O'Meara/AP hide caption
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. Gerardo Mora/Getty Images hide caption
Gay and bisexual men were banned from donating blood over concern that HIV could contaminate the blood supply. Vesna Andjic/Getty Images hide caption
James Harrison was recognized in 2003 with the Guinness World Record for the most blood donated by one person. DAVID GRAY/Reuters /Landov hide caption
'Man With The Golden Arm' Donates Blood That Has Saved 2 Million Babies
Several countries, including Australia, Japan and Great Britain, already encourage blood donations from some gay men. Kevin Curtis/Getty Images/Science Photo Library hide caption
A stamp can build awareness, but broader use of incentives could help boost blood donations. Michael Rega/iStockphoto.com hide caption