News Release

BLOOD BANKING COMMUNITY COLLECTS 1.2 MILLION UNITS OVERALL IN JANUARY; HOWEVER MANY REGIONS FACE SERIOUS SUPPLY SHORTAGES

With Areas of the Country Currently Reporting Low Inventories, the American Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers, and American Red Cross Urge All Eligible Donors to Continue Giving the “Gift of Life”

WASHINGTON, (February 17, 2004) — Leaders of the nation’s blood banking community challenged all eligible Americans to give the “gift of life” during the month of January as the kickoff to National Volunteer Blood Donor Month (NVBDM) 2004. Blood facilities and donors across the country embraced this challenge and successfully collected the targeted 1.2 million units of blood during January 2004. The American Association of Blood Banks (AABB), America’s Blood Centers (ABC) and the American Red Cross (ARC) thank those who helped to meet the common goal; but also ask for continued donations to aid areas across the country presently experiencing supply shortages.

“We thank each American who has donated blood to help save a life,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. “Yet, despite these efforts, we continue to face blood shortages in communities across the country. I encourage my fellow Americans to give the gift of life and make an appointment to donate blood, today. By having a readily available blood supply, we can ensure our hospitals always have enough blood on their shelves.”

According to the National Blood Data Resource Center (NBDRC), a total of 1.12 million units of Red Blood Cells were collected in January 2003. This year’s collection of 1.2 million units represents an increase in the amount collected by seven percent. Despite the increase in the number of overall units collected, regional shortages are still affecting many parts of the country, which is why all eligible donors are asked to donate today and every 56 days thereafter.

“Giving blood is easy, safe and takes less than one hour,” said Jim MacPherson, chief executive officer of America’s Blood Centers. “Volunteer blood donations are needed everyday to help patients being treated for cancer and other diseases, for organ transplant recipients, and to save the lives of accident victims. Individuals are asked to support their local blood centers by making and keeping an appointment to donate immediately.”

“The winter months are traditionally a time when blood is in short supply due to the holidays, travel schedules, inclement weather and illness,” said American Red Cross President and CEO Marsha J. Evans. “The blood banking community issued this united challenge in an attempt to generate much needed blood donations. Our nation has a continuing critical need for blood throughout the year and our challenge is to keep meeting this need every day.”

Those interested in donating blood may call one of the following numbers for more information and to find out where they can schedule an appointment to donate:

• American Association of Blood Banks 1-866-FROM-YOU (1-866-376-6968);
  www.aabb.org
• America’s Blood Centers 1-888-USBLOOD (1-888-872-5663);
  www.americasblood.org
• American Red Cross 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543);
  www.redcross.org