Our Story, Mission, and Core Values
Founded in 2015 by Jordan James, Blood is Blood emerged from a grassroots push to challenge unjust donor restrictions affecting Gay and bisexual individuals. Our mission centers on increasing blood supply by removing barriers rooted in stigma and bias while promoting donor safety and equality for all LGBTQ+ donors. We are driven by values of inclusion, transparency, respect, and advocacy for health equity.
Blood is Blood Story & Mission
Founded in 2015 by Jordan James, Blood is Blood began after he was turned away from donating blood at his local American Red Cross in October of 2015 because of FDA policies that restricted gay and bisexual men from donating blood indefinitely at the time. Rather than accepting the status quo, Jordan transformed that experience into a grassroots advocacy movement dedicated to promoting equality in blood donation. Contacting his local media outlets and local congress officials. Jordan's story created quite the media buzz.
Rep. Brian Higgins
Matthew Crehgan Higgins, Former Executive Director of the Pride Center.
Jordan in a community rally titled "Blood is Blood," which was held on December 14, 2015, in Buffalo, New York. The event took place at Niagara Square, directly across from the Federal Courthouse.
And many
others joined
Since then,
Choosing kindness over rejection, Jordan partnered with the American Red Cross of Western New York to better understand FDA blood donation policies, raise awareness about the need for blood donors, and advocate for fairness and inclusion for gay and bisexual men.
Launching "Pride Alliance Blood Drives" with the first taking place, July 2016, what began as a single community blood drive has grown into one of Blood is Blood's signature initiatives and the nation's longest-running LGBTQ+ Pride-related blood drive.
Blood is Blood has been committed to advocating for inclusive and non-discriminatory blood donation policies, encompassing not only gay and bisexual men but the entire LGBTQ+ community.
Approximate Lives Saved
Policy Changes Influenced
