Calls For Public To Donate Blood
AABB Responds
Bethesda, MD – The American Association of Blood Banks is urging citizens to respond to national appeals for blood in the wake of apparent terrorist attacks. The association, however, is recommending that individuals interested in responding to this national crisis should contact their local blood collection facilities prior to going out to donate. Blood center locations and contact information can be found on the AABB Web site, www.aabb.org under Donate/Receive Blood.
Specifically, the AABB is focusing its efforts through the National Blood Exchange (NBE), the primary blood resource-sharing program in the nation, to find alternative means of shipping blood into New York and other areas as needed. Facilities with available blood products should contact the NBE primarily by fax at either (301) 907-6895 or (301) 907-6978. Secondary contact can be made through the following toll free numbers: 1-800-544-5192 and 1-800-458-9388. The NBE email is nbe@aabb.org.
AABB member New York Blood Center has issued an urgent appeal for blood. Robert Jones, MD, MBA, president and CEO of the New York Blood Center (NYBC), and Kenneth Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association, are urging all eligible donors to make a blood donation at donor sites throughout New York. Facilities throughout the country are asked to contact them concerning blood drives or blood shipments. To contact the NYBC directly, call (800) 933-BLOOD. The Web site is www.nybloodcenter.org.
In Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, states of emergency have been declared. To meet the needs of those injured, the Washington Hospital Center, a leading burn center in the DC area, and Inova, both of which are AABB members, have issued urgent appeals for blood. To reach Washington Hospital Center, and Inova , concerning making blood donations, please call 1-202-877-5250 and 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372), respectively.
The American Red Cross , also an AABB member, is not on urgent appeal; however, they are encouraging donations. Concerned citizens are encouraged to contact their local Red Cross facility or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment.
Established in 1947, the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) is the professional association of nearly 2,000 institutions and 8,000 individuals. The AABB’s mission is to establish and promote the highest standard of care for patients and doctors in all aspects of blood banking; transfusion medicine; hematopoietic; cellular and gene therapies; and tissue transplantation.
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