The ADVANCE Study (Assessing Donor Variability And New Concepts in Eligibility) is a national pilot study funded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), conducted in collaboration with three of the country’s largest blood centers: Vitalant, OneBlood, and the American Red Cross.
This groundbreaking study is designed to explore new approaches to improving the blood donor eligibility process—particularly by evaluating alternatives to the current time-based deferral policies. The goal is to assess whether a more personalized, risk-based approach to donor screening can be both safe and effective.
At the heart of this research is the donor history questionnaire—a standard set of questions answered by all potential blood donors before giving blood. These questions help assess possible risk factors for transfusion-transmissible infections, including HIV.
The ADVANCE Study aims to determine whether revising these questions to focus more on individual behavioral risk—rather than broad time-based criteria—could improve the donor screening process while continuing to ensure the safety of the blood supply.
To collect the necessary data, the study is being conducted in partnership with community organizations across eight U.S. cities, including Washington D.C., San Francisco, Orlando, New Orleans/Baton Rouge, Miami, Memphis, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. A total of 2,000 participants will be enrolled across these locations.
🎯 Our Broader Mission
As the ADVANCE Study has grown, so has our commitment. AdvanceStudy.org has evolved into a trusted health information platform dedicated to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content related to health conditions, medical terminology, and careers in healthcare.
We aim to bridge the gap between complex clinical research and everyday understanding—empowering individuals, patients, students, and professionals to make better-informed decisions about health and well-being.
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All content on AdvanceStudy.org is written or medically reviewed by a team of experienced health professionals, writers, and researchers based in the United States. Our goal is to deliver content that is accurate, accessible, and backed by science.
Our Core Contributors Include:
Dr. Emily Carter — Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician (Boston, MA)
Dr. Emily Carter is a board-certified internal medicine physician based in Boston. She’s passionate about simplifying complex medical topics to help patients make informed decisions. With over a decade of experience in patient care and medical writing, she ensures every article is accurate and actionable.
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In addition to our core contributors, we work with a growing team of 28+ freelance content writers, copy editors, and health researchers located across the U.S.
This includes:
✔️ Experienced medical writers with clinical training
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Every article goes through a collaborative editorial process designed to uphold our commitment to clarity, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
🔒 Why It Matters
We believe that the integrity of health information starts with the people behind it. By combining clinical expertise with editorial excellence, we ensure that everything you read on AdvanceStudy.org meets the highest standards of quality and transparency.
🏛️ Our Structure & Values
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🔍 What You Can Expect
Eligibility
The ADVANCE Study invites healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 39 who are interested in blood donation and who live in one of the participating cities. Each potential participant will complete a brief eligibility survey, and those who qualify will be enrolled after providing informed consent. Participants receive compensation for their time.
What to Expect
- Eligibility Screening – Complete a short survey to determine if you qualify.
- Enrollment – Qualified individuals will be guided through informed consent.
- Questionnaire – Participants will complete the ADVANCE Study’s detailed form.
- Blood Sample – Collected and tested in a research lab for relevant health markers.
- Follow-Up – Participants will return to learn their results and may complete a follow-up survey.
🛡️ Our Commitment to Trust
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