[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 1, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY AND WALL 
                           OF HONOR RECEPTION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 1, 2004

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the achievements of 
the New York Blood Center (NYBC). On the evening of May 19, 2004, the 
NYBC will unveil its Wall of Honor, which recognizes the many generous 
donors--both financial and medical--who make possible the Blood 
Center's tremendous contributions to the public good. The Wall of Honor 
will also commemorate the Blood Center's forty years of outstanding 
service to our community, our nation and our world.
  The Blood Center has long been an indispensable part of the New York 
community. Over the last four decades, the NYBC has become one of 
America's largest community-based, non-profit blood centers. Each year, 
it provides life-saving blood products and clinical transfusion 
services to more than one million patients, in over two hundred New 
York and New Jersey hospitals. In addition, the Center's Solvent 
Detergent Viral Inactivation Process has improved the safety of more 
than twenty billion units of blood-derived products distributed 
worldwide.
  The Blood Center has also become a nationally-recognized center for 
medical education. The NYBC has trained more than 100 physician 
professionals through its transfusion medicine fellowship, and has 
offered clinical training to over 400 medical students and 300 
laboratory technicians. In all, more than 30 percent of New York and 
New Jersey blood bank directors have received specialized training from 
the New York Blood Center. By any measure, the foregoing statistics 
represent a truly astonishing record of achievement. The clinicians, 
staff and contributors of the NYBC should be extremely proud of these 
accomplishments.
  As we take time to celebrate the NYBC's history, we must also 
acknowledge the Blood Center's efforts to meet new and often daunting 
challenges. As you may know, the New York region is currently facing a 
critical shortage of blood. The NYBC estimates that the demand for 
transfusions will easily exceed the Center's projected supply during 
the coming summer months. The Center has urged local community groups, 
schools and churches to organize blood drives to forestall 
interruptions in major medical services this summer. These difficulties 
make it all the more necessary for the New York community to continue 
to support the NYBC's noble efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I request that my colleagues join me in paying tribute 
to the New York Blood Center, whose forward-thinking initiatives to 
promote the public's health and well-being are truly worthy of 
celebration. To the dedicated professionals, volunteers and friends of 
this fine organization, I offer my continuing admiration, respect and 
support.

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