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| Vol. 25, No. 3 |
| February 15, 2003 |
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When Duty Calls ... By ROBIN DAVIDSON Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Jan. 30 announced an arrangement with the Department of Defense to supplement the military’s blood supply during wartime, if and when additional blood is needed. The Blood Center’s participation in this effort is part of an agreement between the department and members of America’s Blood Centers, a network of 74 community blood centers that collect nearly half the nation’s blood supply. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is a member of this network. Facing the prospect of war with Iraq, the military has developed this agreement to assure all blood needs will be met. While the military collects its own blood and relies foremost on that blood for its troops, America’s Blood Centers’ members, when requested, will fulfill any of the military’s remaining unmet blood needs. Once the military requests blood from America’s Blood Centers’ national office in Washington, D.C., preassigned member “hub centers” will be alerted and send blood to a designated military location. Other support centers will ship replacement blood to the hubs in readiness for further requests. “Having this support from America’s Blood Centers and its members will ensure that blood will be available for our servicemen and women. While the military collects much of the blood that supports our troops, we still depend on backup from civilian sources, especially in times of major conflicts. We hope civilians will rise to the call of duty, to help both their military troops and other civilians who need blood,” said Col. Michael Fitzpatrick, armed services blood program office director. “Right now, our blood levels across the country are very low and we need more donors to come in regularly, since we do not know when the military call may come. Blood is needed every day – not just in times of disaster or military action. Let’s make sure blood is on the shelves at all times so we’re prepared for anything,” said Jeanne Dariotis, America’s Blood Centers president. It’s the blood on the shelf that saves lives.” Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center Medical Director Susan Rossmann, M.D., said “The Blood Center encourages donors to give regularly because blood is needed every day to save lives. Whether used for surgeries here in our community or combat needs, there is no substitute. During this time of uncertainty, we must rely upon Southeast Texans to help us prepare to meet any blood needs, whatever the cause.” Donating blood is safe and simple. Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. There is no upper age limit for donors, and most medications do not interfere with donor eligibility. People can donate blood every 56 days, or every eight weeks, up to six times annually. Plasma can be given twice a week and platelets 24 times a year. For further information about donor eligibility or to schedule donation appointments at any of the Blood Center’s Neighborhood Donor Centers, call (713) 790-1200, 1-888-GV-BLOOD (1-888-482-5663), or visit www.giveblood.org.
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/02_15_03/page_05.html |