Impact 9-11: The act of giving

The catastrophic events of Sept. 11 were a double-edged sword for the Com-munity Blood Center of the Ozarks.

While the blood bank was flooded with donors the following week, blood is a perishable item.

During mass emergencies, said Executive Director Don Thomson, "everyone comes out to give blood. It is part of the grieving process; it's the spirit of America."

After the immediate needs were filled, CBCO officials had to turn away some donors. But not before teaching them the importance of spreading out the donations in emergencies.

"We tried to encourage people to spread it out," Thomson said. "When a trauma event happens, you go with what's on the shelf. The control of that inventory is such an enormously critical aspect of this job."

Donated blood is broken into three forms with differing shelf life: red blood cells last 42 days; platelets lasts five days; and plasma is good for a year when frozen. Red blood cells are the main product of the blood center, Thomson said.

"What I hope the country has learned is that this is a perishable product; you have to give it over a period of time," he said. There was a dip in the blood supply 42 days after 9-11, he said, but the center never reached emergency levels in providing blood to 35 area hospitals.

As the anniversary approaches, Thomson said CBCO is starting the donation program recruiting cycle all over again. The center is conducting a blood drive to recognize the heroes of 9-11 and today. It is called "Honor Your Hero" and runs through Sept. 13.

"We want people to make a commitment to join the blood program to give three more times over the course of a year," Thomson said. "We're going to make a difference in someone's life tomorrow."

by Eric Olson

SBJ Reporter