[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 18911]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



              THE AMERICAN RED CROSS NATIONAL BLOOD APPEAL

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, we are currently facing one of the worst 
blood shortages in history, and I implore the citizens of this fine 
nation to volunteer to be a blood donor. Across the country hospitals 
are having to postpone life saving operations because of the lack of 
blood. Just the other day, the Medical University of South Carolina in 
Charleston had to postpone a liver transplant because it lacked the 
necessary blood supply to perform the surgery. This is simply not 
acceptable.
  On September 19, 2000, Dr. Bernadine Healy, president and CEO of the 
American Red Cross, made the following statement stressing the critical 
need for blood donations. I feel that it is essential that we heed Dr. 
Healy's advice, and I ask unanimous consent that her statement be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the statement was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

  Statement by Dr. Bernadine Healy, September 19, 2000, American Red 
                  Cross Blood Supply Press Conference

       At this moment, the nation's blood supply is in critically 
     short supply. We could not practice modern medicine without 
     blood. Right now, the medical care of patients is being 
     altered, postponed or canceled because the blood they need is 
     not available. This silent savior in many medical emergencies 
     is in short supply.
       Blood is a critical link in the chain of health care 
     nationwide. Together, the American Red Cross and the hundreds 
     of independent blood centers maintain the strength of that 
     link providing blood to patients in need. But that link is 
     weak, and the chain of caring is being stretched to its 
     limit.
       Our role as blood bankers is an important one and we take 
     our responsibilities very seriously. Every donor provides a 
     generous gift of life and we recognize that gift as part of a 
     precious national resource. We are now facing a time when the 
     demand for this resource has grown such that it is outpacing 
     our ability to provide adequate supplies.
       In August 1999, the Red Cross collected about 16,700 units 
     of blood per day. In August 2000, we collected nearly 17,300 
     units of blood daily--an increase of 3 percent. However, 
     while collections have increased, so too has distribution. In 
     August 1999, we distributed more than 14,700 units of blood 
     each day. In August 2000, we distributed nearly 17,000 units 
     each day, a 14 percent increase for that one month.
       The American Red Cross believes we need a three-day 
     inventory available--about 80,000 units--which enables us to 
     provide an uninterrupted supply of blood to patients in need. 
     However, for the entire summer, the Red Cross has operated on 
     little more than a two-day supply.
       Last Friday, our national inventory plummeted to 36,000 
     units of blood, and we consider 50,000 units to be a critical 
     inventory level. Thirty-four of our thirty-six blood regions 
     nationwide are in urgent need of blood donations. Many of our 
     regions are being forced to ask local hospitals to postpone 
     elective surgeries, especially if the patient in question has 
     type 0 blood because the demand is greatest for this type.
       An increase in the population, aging, growing numbers of 
     medical procedures and more complex surgeries that were not 
     possible years ago have contributed to this increase in 
     demand. Patient undergoing chemotherapy and infants in 
     neonatal care need blood. So do accident victims and those 
     undergoing transplants. Blood is always, everywhere in need.
       The American Red Cross is implementing increased donor 
     recruitment initiatives to help offset these trends 
     including:
       1. Scheduling more blood drives, as well as expanding the 
     hours of existing blood drives;
       2. Pilot-testing an Internet-based system to enable people 
     to schedule blood donation appointment online;
       3. Utilizing aggressive telemarketing and direct-mail 
     campaigns to encourage previous blood donors to come back and 
     schedule an appointment;
       4. Paying for advertising and working with the news media 
     in markets nationwide to get this critical message to 
     potential donors;
       5. Establishing a pilot ``urban blood donor center'' in 
     Chicago to make it easier for people working in downtown 
     areas to donate blood during the business day.
       We are excited about these new efforts and hope that they 
     will allow us to reach more prospective donors than ever 
     before. However, the fact remains that we need help now to 
     address the current blood shortage. I want to encourage 
     everyone, from students returning to school, to people who 
     haven't donated blood in a while to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE 
     today to schedule an appointment. We need you now. Don't 
     forget, 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

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