A personal update from Wink’s CEO, Sheryl J. Moore: Changing this regulation will leave a wonderful legacy for my son.
February 1, 2022 by Sheryl J. Moore
Remember when I worked with my former Senator to get the law changed, to allow gay men to donate blood?
Well, guess what happened two days ago, on what would have been my son’s 25th birthday?
The FDA announced that they are looking at changing the eligibility requirements for donating corneas and other tissues!
This is something that Michael Puente, MD and I have been working hard on for a couple of years! And it looks like they are finally going to allow gay men to donate their corneas. WOO HOO!
If you will recall, my son AJ Betts was not permitted to donate his eyes, tissues, blood, nor some organs because he identified as being gay. AJ died of suicide, after being bullied for his sexual identity.
Because the U.S. has adequate supply to meet our country’s demand for corneas, our donor corneas can be shipped outside of the country to places such as Asia and Africa, where there is insufficient supply for the cornea demands.
Do you know what this means?
AJ BETTS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD!!!
The greatest fear that I have faced in the wake of my son’s death is that he will be forgotten. Changing this regulation will leave a wonderful legacy for my son.
Please pray with me that the regulation is overturned, and that we are successful. Thank you, thank you! – sjm
