A Year of Celibacy to Donate Blood
In 2015, Jordan James founded Blood is Blood after being unable to donate blood under the federal blood donation policy affecting many gay and bisexual men. Rather than allowing rejection to define his story, Jordan dedicated himself to changing the conversation through education, advocacy, and community action.
Two years later, he made an extraordinary personal commitment
Jordan publicly announced his year-long celibacy commitment during Blood is Blood’s second community blood drive in 2017. The announcement drew local and national attention, with coverage from outlets including The Advocate, Hornet, Buffalo Toronto Public Media, HIV Plus Magazine, and Spectrum News.
Personal Commitment to Blood Donation
More Than a Personal Sacrifice
At the time, federal policy required many gay and bisexual men to abstain from sexual activity for 12 months before becoming eligible to donate blood. For Jordan, that requirement highlighted the emotional and personal burden placed on an entire community that wanted nothing more than to contribute to the nation's blood supply.
By completing a full year of celibacy and becoming eligible to donate, Jordan hoped to raise awareness about the policy while encouraging conversations rooted in science, compassion, and equality.
His message remained consistent:
Every healthy, eligible person should have the opportunity to help save lives through blood donation.
Turning Advocacy Into Action
In 2018, after completing a full year of celibacy, Jordan fulfilled his commitment by donating blood at Blood is Blood's third annual community blood drive. His donation represented far more than a personal milestone—it symbolized hope, perseverance, and a commitment to demonstrating that many gay and bisexual men were willing and able to help save lives if given the opportunity.
That moment was only one chapter in a much larger movement.
Through Blood is Blood, Jordan continued working alongside the American Red Cross, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community organizations to educate the public, encourage blood donation, and advocate for evidence-based, individual, risk-based donor eligibility policies.
Rather than discouraging people from donating, Blood is Blood encouraged every eligible individual to roll up their sleeves and give blood while advocating for donor eligibility policies grounded in current scientific evidence.
A Lasting Legacy
The advocacy that followed helped support the broader national movement toward modernizing blood donor eligibility. Over time, the FDA transitioned from a lifetime deferral to a 12-month deferral, then a 3-month deferral, and ultimately to today's individual, risk-based donor eligibility assessment.
Jordan's personal commitment became a symbol of perseverance, demonstrating that meaningful change is achieved through education, collaboration, and persistence—not division.
More than a decade later, Blood is Blood continues to honor that same commitment: promoting blood donation, strengthening the blood supply, and ensuring every eligible individual has an equal opportunity to help save lives.
"Sometimes the greatest sacrifice isn't made for yourself—it's made so that others may never have to make it again."
Approximate Lives Saved
Policy Changes Influenced