Because the FDA had announced on April 2, 2020, it was updating its guidelines on blood donations from gay men, decreasing the abstinence period for men who had sex with other men from 12 months to 3 months to better meet the demand for blood during the coronavirus pandemic, Lukus was cleared to donate. Abstinent for 3 months, he arrived at the hospital for his appointment eager to contribute his plasma for antibody studies and proud to finally be treated like every other blood donor but was turned away because he was gay. Lukus’ story soon got picked up by Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and The Daily Show and he has found himself very publicly speaking about who he is and why the FDA needs to take a closer look at their blood-donation deferral period for gay men.

In this episode Lukus, a returning guest from bonus episode 3, Surviving Coronavirus, joins Ronit to talk about his donation experience, using his newfound platform to effect change and share some very good news.