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McGreevey blood donation in doubtTHE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Published in the Home News Tribune, November 17, 2004TRENTON -- Former Gov. James E. McGreevey had blood taken during a Red Cross drive at the Statehouse last year, but it is not known whether he told the organization to reject his donation because he was gay. Red Cross guidelines say that a man who had sex with another man since 1977 is not eligible to give blood because of the risk of HIV infection. McGreevey left office after revealing he had an extramarital affair with a man. The guidelines are based on those of the federal Food and Drug Administration, according to Kristy Kane, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Penn-Jersey Blood Region in Philadelphia. Men donating blood are given a questionnaire that informs them they are disqualified if they answer "yes" to the male-sex question. After blood is given, donors also have the opportunity to place a sticker on paperwork to state the blood should not be used, Kane said. Donors are also given a phone number to call later if they want to say the blood should not be used. Donated blood also is screened for HIV. All blood donation forms are confidential, Kane said, so there is no way of knowing the answers McGreevey gave. McGreevey, who resigned as governor Monday night, declined to comment on the blood donation when reached at his office in Woodbridge yesterday. McGreevey donated blood during a drive at the Statehouse annex in February 2003. When he announced his resignation in August, McGreevey said he had an affair with a man while in office but did not say exactly when or reveal anything else about his sexual history. Gay-rights groups are opposed to the blood-donation guidelines. John Campbell, a spokesman for Gay and Lesbian Political Action and Support Groups based in New Brunswick, told Gannett New Jersey newspapers the guidelines assume widespread casual sex by gays. Contributing Gannett New Jersey |
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