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| Vol. 25, No. 2 |
| February 1, 2003 |
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Former First Lady Gives the Gift of Life By ROBIN DAVIDSON Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Former first lady Barbara Bush paid a visit to Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center to donate blood Jan. 21. Mrs. Bush made her donation to recognize January’s designation as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. President George W. Bush, the son of the former first lady, released a statement Jan. 6 in support of National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, declaring: “Each year, approximately 8 million Americans give the gift of life by donating blood. By giving blood to help others, volunteer donors demonstrate the compassionate spirit of our nation and contribute to a growing culture of service, citizenship, and responsibility in America. I applaud all those who give blood, and encourage all Americans to consider donating.” The American Association of Blood Banks, in conjunction with America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross, work together each January asking donors to give or pledge to give blood. The theme for this year’s campaign, “Give Blood ... The Gift of Life,” highlighted the importance of giving the gift of life through blood donation. By recognizing and celebrating National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, The Blood Center encouraged donors to donate regularly, doing so at least three times during a calendar year. “I am pleased to bring attention to this important issue,” the former first lady said. “Blood means life – it is that simple and that important. In light of critical nationwide shortages, not only am I comforted by knowing that my donation will make a difference, but hopeful that it will encourage others to do the same.” Bill T. Teague, Blood Center president and CEO, added, “By making this effort, Mrs. Bush is once again graciously showing her concern for the heath and well-being of her community. Her commitment to others is unparalleled and we cannot be more appreciative of her assistance in raising the public’s awareness to the need for blood through her recognition of National Volunteer Blood Donor Month.” January is usually a difficult month for blood centers to collect blood donations, due to fewer people donating during the holidays, poor weather conditions, and more people falling victim to colds and flu. A reduction in turnout put blood inventory at a critical low. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and blood centers in other parts of the country are on critical appeal. There is a continuous need because blood has a short shelf life – approximately 42 days for red blood cells – which means that the blood supply needs to be constantly replenished. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center provides blood and blood components to patients in more than 200 hospitals and health care facilities in its 24-county service area. To maintain the optimum level of a three-day supply, the Blood Center must collect at least 800 donations every day. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good general health. The donation process is simple and sterile, taking only about 30 to 45 minutes. For more information, call (713) 790-1200, 1-888-GV-BLOOD (1-888-482-5663), or visit the Blood Center’s Web site at http://www.giveblood.org, for a complete list of donation locations and phone numbers. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is a member of America’s Blood Centers, the national network of nonprofit community blood centers that collect half the United States’ blood supply.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews02_01_03/page_02.html |