Impact 9-11: The act of giving

|tab|

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

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

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."|ret||ret||tab|

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.|ret||ret||tab|

"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."|ret||ret||tab|

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.|ret||ret||tab|

"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.|ret||ret||tab|

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. |ret||ret||tab|

"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." |ret||ret||tab|

by Eric Olson|ret||ret||tab|

SBJ Reporter|ret||ret||tab|

[[In-content Ad]]