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A MESSAGE FROM:
Benjamin J. Spindler, M.D.
Executive Director and Medical Director
Marshall Community Blood Center |
Healthcare organizations have changed and progressed at a rapid pace in the past few years; none more than blood banks. Our community and our society at large has demanded that blood transfusions be free of the risk of infectious diseases.
Marshall Community Blood Center has responded to and met that challenge; there are no new AIDS cases associated with transfusions in our region since the advent of the HIV testing program in 1986. Our expectation is to extend this level of transfusion safety
indefinitely.
Today we are faced with a challenge similar in magnitude to the one faced with the advent of AIDS; making certain that those in our area who need blood will never go without, regardless of what type of blood or blood component is needed, whenever and wherever the need arises. As our population grows and medical procedures become more complex; and as physicians request more blood; the effort needed to get the right units of blood to the right person at the right time challenges our systems for preparing, testing, and distributing thousands and thousands of units each month. Even more so, it challenges the volunteer blood donors who give all the blood, apheresis platelets, and all the other components that are needed. Often the most needed blood type is type O.
Marshall Community Blood Center asks type O donors to donate more frequently and it asks physicians to use type O sparingly. It is crucial our entire community, our physicians, hospitals, blood center staff and most importantly our faithful and
committed donors pull together to ensure blood is readily available, whenever and wherever the need arises.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement.
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