News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, June 14, 2004 |
Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343 |
HHS Launches Government-Wide "Donation Nation" Program With Blood Banking Community
In commemoration of today’s World Blood Donor Day, HHS
Secretary Tommy G. Thompson launched “Donation Nation,”
a new program aimed at increasing blood donations among federal
government employees to reduce chronic blood shortages in
communities across the country. This program is being
launched in cooperation with the American Association of Blood
Banks (AABB), America's Blood Centers (ABC) and the American
Red Cross (ARC).
“Every two seconds a blood transfusion is needed in the
United States and at times there is simply not enough blood to
fully meet that need,” Secretary Thompson said.
“As we enter the summer season, when blood is traditionally
in short supply, HHS and the blood centers want to build a momentum
through ‘Donation Nation’ that encourages federal
employees to give blood. Through ‘Donation
Nation,’ we can help ensure blood is ready, available and on
the shelves when a personal medical crisis occurs or a disaster
strikes during any season.”
“Donation Nation” will serve as an on-going workplace
blood program for federal employees and encourages all eligible
federal workers to become blood donors and commit to donating blood
a minimum of twice each year. Participating blood centers
will organize competitions between departments and recognize the
best performers.
The first phase of “Donation Nation” launches today in
the Washington, D.C./Baltimore metropolitan area and the state of
California. Government agencies are encouraged to organize
blood drives and raise awareness to boost collections.
AABB, ABC and ARC, will provide the necessary support tools to help
departments plan and execute stronger blood drives. Phase two
of “Donation Nation” will be launched in December of
2004, when the program will expand to include federal agencies
across the nation.
AABB is an international association of blood banks, including
hospital and community blood centers, transfusion and
transplantation services and individuals involved in activities
related to transfusion and transplantation medicine. ABC is
North America’s largest network of non-profit, community
blood centers. ARC provides nearly half of the nation's
blood supply (collecting more than 6 million units a year from
volunteer donors) to patients in 3,000 hospitals across the country
through its national network.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: June 14, 2004
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