BOLT FROM THE BLUE: Lifelong Tampa Bay Lightning fan Matthew and his former teacher and IntellectAbility Inside Sales Representative Grace Gould get set for puck drop at Matthew's first game.

Having accompanied his father, a retired county sheriff and regular blood donor, many times over the years, Matthew was finally old enough to give blood himself. Plans were made for a celebration at the donor site to commemorate the occasion. As a lifelong Tampa Bay Lightning fan and big-time Victor Hedman fan, Matthew hoped to encourage 77 others to give blood to honor his hockey hero, who wears the #77 jersey.

He arrived on his birthday at the blood collection center in his community with 20-25 of his supporters and prospective donors amid great fanfare, and proceeded to the donation room. Shortly after that, he emerged from the room greatly disappointed, because he had been rejected as a blood donor. According to the center, people who can’t independently get up on the donor bed can’t donate. Matthew, who has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and can assist in transfers from the wheelchair to other surfaces, but needs a little help to get there. His supporters offered to assist him, but were told that the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires all donors to be able to get up on the table independently.

Matthew, his mother, his former teacher and IntellectAbility Inside Sales Representative, Grace Gould, knew this couldn't be right and asked the staff at the donor site to escalate the situation to leadership within the organization. While others donated, Matthew waited to hear back from the higher-ups. Unfortunately, Matthew was ultimately told he could not donate blood on his birthday, because of his inability to access the donor table independently. Matthew, his family, and his supporters decided to make the best of the situation that day and celebrated with cake and balloons.

"I was discouraged and sad, because I The medical directors at the center met to discuss Matthew's request. They issued a policy memo indicating that people with disabilities can be assisted to get on the donation bed, if they bring their own supporters to help them. This communication is referred to as the| "Matthew Memo." had waited for years, for this moment. Everyone there knew I was in a wheelchair before I got there. It wasn't nice for them to deny me saving lives, when I was ready and able to donate my blood," said Matthew.

Matthew’s mother and Grace researched blood donation regulations and requested clarification from the FDA. The Office of Blood Research and Review (OBRR) in the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) provided a prompt response, indicating “there are no specific regulations preventing a person from donating blood due to required assistance in getting on and off a blood donation bed.” Rather, the donor must “be in good health and free from factors that would adversely affect the health of the donor.” The response went on to say, “the collection center is ultimately responsible for determining the eligibility of the donor” and suggested they address their concerns with the center’s medical director.

The medical directors at the center met to discuss Matthew's request. They issued a policy memo indicating that people with disabilities can be assisted to get on the donation bed, if they bring their own supporters to help them. This communication is referred to as the| "Matthew Memo."

"I was shocked that in the year 2023, an otherwise healthy individual was denied donating much-needed blood, simply because he needed minimal assistance to get up on the donation bed," said Grace. "What about the organization's responsibility for complying with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)?"