World Blood Donor Day 2020

That the Parliament recognises that 14 June 2020 is World Blood Donor Day, which is an annual event that seeks to raise awareness of blood donation and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood, with the theme this year being "Safe blood saves lives"; thanks the work of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, which has ensured that blood donating is accessible for people during the COVID-19 crisis, meaning that lives can continue to be saved with crucial blood transfusions; acknowledges that sustained blood donations are crucial during this time of crisis and that donations of convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can potentially help COVID-19 patients; notes that the FAIR (For the Assessment of Individualised Risk) steering group, set up by the Department of Health and Social care, which includes the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, Stonewall, Terrence Higgins Trust, clinical specialists and patients, is working to complete its report into evidence on gay and bisexual men and blood donation by the end of 2020 despite delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic; understands that the current restrictions can be discriminatory against gay and bisexual men, many of whom feel that they are being denied to opportunity to help save lives; resolves to continue to strengthen and sustain blood donating services in Scotland by encouraging more people to donate blood when they can, and thanks all blood donors across Scotland for their continued contribution to helping save lives.