WINDSOR, Ontario, April 12 (UPI) -- A Canadian couple said they are circulating a petition to change a federal law classifying gay people as high-risk for organ donation.
Rob and Nancy Campana's son Rocky was removed from life support in August after attempting suicide.
Nancy Campana said the Trillium Gift of Life Network in Ontario, did not accept her son's organs for donation.
"I was asked if he was a gay male and I said, 'Yes.' And I was asked if he was a sexually active gay male or if he had a partner and I said, 'yes,'" she told CBC News.
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"When I got off the phone to relay that to both Rob and a lot of Rocky's friends ... many of them broke down," she said. "The gay ones said, 'Nancy, we can't donate blood; they're not going to take our organs.'"
Health Canada changed its rules for organ donation in 2007 and labeled sexually active gay men, injection drug users and other groups as high-risk donors.
Campana said doctors told her trace amounts of drugs were found in her son's system.
Trillium Chief Executive Officer Ronnie Gavsie said a donor's sexual orientation is a factor in evaluating donors.
"According to the Health Canada legislation, a man or woman who is gay would fall into the high-risk category. But that fact alone would not preclude them from being a donor," Gavsie said.
The Campanas are working on a petition to the House of Commons to change Health Canada's rule.
"That was Rocky. Injustices were big to him, so I think that we are really determined to try to get the word out to everyone," said Rob Campana.
