00:02Luke Moorcraft is excited to donate blood for the first time.
00:05I know that that will go to someone who needs it.
00:08As a nurse, he knows how donated blood can save lives.
00:12Cancer patients, people with chronic diseases,
00:15use of the emergency department after trauma.
00:17If people don't step up to donate,
00:19then the supply runs dry and patients will suffer.
00:22But as a gay man, he was only eligible to give plasma.
00:25But from April 20th,
00:27every blood donor will be asked the same questions about recent sexual activity,
00:31regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
00:34That means more people, including gay and bisexual men and transgender people,
00:40may now be eligible to donate blood and platelets.
00:45Australian Red Cross Lifeblood hopes more people will roll up their sleeves.
00:49Our modelling predicts that we're likely to see
00:5220,000 new donations a year from this change.
00:55Sexual activity-based restrictions were first introduced during the HIV crisis in the 1980s.
01:01It's a step forward after changes were made last year
01:04to allow the LGBTQIA plus community to donate plasma,
01:09another life-saving blood product.
01:12Since July, 3,000 new donors like Luke have given close to 10,000 plasma donations.
01:18I've donated plasma 20 times now.
01:20It's great.
01:21I go to the donor centre.
01:22Everyone's really friendly.
01:23They're very welcoming.
01:26With the hope that many will follow his lead.
01:28Josephine hewant.
01:31Josephine-
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