ETC creative inc presents blood equality campaign

ETC creative inc presents blood equality campaign
(above) ‘my blood type is AB’
all images courtesy of 

in 1983, the FDA (US food and drug administration) issued a lifetime ban on all men who have sex with men from donating blood. this was during the early days of the AIDS crisis, based on the lack of understanding of HIV at that time. this policy is still in effect today, despite advances in science, and the fact that our blood supply is meticulously tested. yet each year, we turn away over 615,000 pints of blood that could help save the lives of more than a million people simply because the donors are gay.

BLOOD EQUALITY was launched to stop the discrimination against donors and allow everyone an equal opportunity to donate blood. blood is blood. and discrimination is discrimination. it’s time for science, not stigma, to rule. 

‘my blood type is O’

the creative team at FCB healthcare joined artist jordan eagle in the battle against gay male blood donor discrimination with a PSA campaign named ‘out for blood’. the creatives called on ETC’s harold julian to photograph a series of portraits showcasing gay men who were committed to the cause of ending this type of discrimination. these stunning images were the result of harold julian’s commitment to work on this pro-bono project. it was the distinct honor for ETC to produce this work under the direction of their own east coast representative, joe lombardo. 

‘my blood type is A’

by january 2016, they have intel that the FDA might be changing this regulation by allowing gay men who have been celibate for one year to donate blood, which is a step in the right direction, but only means the fight is not over.

‘my blood type is B’

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edited by: juliana neira | designboom