America’s Blood Centers organizes first Blood Advocacy Week
Opportunities exist to raise awareness about the value of US blood supply
The first Blood Advocacy Week, which promotes activities to showcase the importance of maintaining a safe and continuous blood supply and advocate for changes in policies that strengthen blood supply chains in the U.S., will take place April 24–28.
Hemorrhage, or bleeding, is the leading cause of preventable death following a severe injury. Hemophilia patients are highly susceptible to bleeds due to a deficiency in blood-clotting factors. That’s why an adequate and accessible blood supply is key to improving patients’ outcomes.
This initiative is by America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based blood centers responsible for 60% of the nation’s blood supply. It is intended to bring together members of the blood community, legislators, decision-makers, advocates, providers, and patients to advance policies that consider blood’s value to patient communities and the healthcare system in general.
“Growing and diversifying the nation’s donor base and ensuring the long-term resilience of America’s blood supply takes everyone. America’s Blood Centers is proud to launch this new collaboration to bring together those touched by the lifesaving power of blood to advance policies that promote the value of blood to patients, communities, and our healthcare system,” Kate Fry, America’s Blood Centers’ CEO, said in a press release.
“We want to thank our partners and sponsors who are making this week possible. Everyone can do something and we encourage all those interested to join us in this important work,” Fry added.
Blood Advocacy Week will feature virtual events and social media campaigns that seek to strengthen and diversify America’s blood supply.
Session topics are varied, and include the current status of the U.S. blood supply, federal policy and new eligibly requirements for blood donation reimbursements, pre-hospital blood access, and the importance of blood donor diversity.
Each day will feature a session to discuss a particular topic:
- April 24, the “A Call to Action: Analyzing Trends Impacting the Nation’s Blood Supply and What Must Change Moving Forward;”
- April 25, the “Welcome Blood Donors: Promoting Awareness of New Eligibility Criteria;”
- April 26, the “Day on Capitol Hill for ABC [America’s Blood Centers] members;”
- April 27, the “When Time Matters: Saving and Enhancing Lives Through Access to Blood;”
- April 28, the “It’s About Life: Why Donor Diversity is Critical to Patient Care.”
Several national patient, provider, and student organizations have joined as partners of America’s Blood Centers in their new initiative, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Hemophilia Foundation, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota, the Thalassemia International Federation, among many others.
More information on how to become a sponsor, advocacy or government partner, or policy champion of this initiative is available here.
About the Author
