February 13, 2012
ATLANTA - SHLA, along with Office of Civic Engagement and Greek Life, co-sponsored a Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday and Thursday, February 8 and 9, in the Urban Life Buildings West Exhibit Area. Professor Leslie Wolf, who teaches a class on HIV/AIDS and the law at the College of Law, helped promote the blood drive with a lunch-hour presentation on the FDA policy against donations from sexually active gay blood donors.
The presentation began with the history that shaped the FDA’s policy, and then explained the positions held by both those who support and oppose the FDA’s policy. Afterwards, students discussed the primary problem that the FDA faces: the need for blood versus the protection of the blood supply from HIV and other diseases.
"It’s helpful to know the history of HIV’s discovery and treatment to really understand the reasons behind the FDA’s policy," says Ketchie, a second-year law student. "The policy looks needlessly discriminatory on its face, but considering the FDA’s responsibility to protect the blood supply and the constant need for donations, the question of whether to change the policy has no easy answer."
Afterwards, students were encouraged to participate in the blood drive, held on the second floor of the law school. "Donating blood is a simple way to help out, and there really is such a great need. It can’t get any easier to participate than when the drive is held right here in the law building," says Ketchie. "Considering how much someone else will benefit, it was a great way to spend my time between classes on campus."
The blood drive was a huge success! The Red Cross collected 140 pints of blood - enough to save 420 lives. A video of the program may be viewed here.
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