Indiana Blood Center responded to a national call for blood as did
Indiana Mother's Milk Bank for donated breast milk. The organizations give Hoosiers the opportunity to make an impact on the relief effort in Haiti.
From Indiana Blood Center on Monday, February 1:
Indiana Blood Center is contributing to a national effort to provide blood and blood products to support patients in Haiti. Working in coordination with AABB’s Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism, Indiana Blood Center is shipping 25 units to Miami where they will be repackaged for distribution to Haiti.
Resource sharing among blood agencies is a tenet of our industry,” said Mike Parejko, executive vice president and COO of Indiana Blood Center. “Donated units are shipped wherever they are needed and as they are needed – be that across town, across the state, domestically and across borders. What’s happening in Haiti underscores just how much of an international asset the blood supply truly is.”
The 25 units are being pulled from Indiana Blood Center’s inventory. No additional blood drives are scheduled
“We are fortunate to have a stable supply on-hand. This shipment will in no way impact our ability to supply hospitals and patients in Indiana,” said Parejko. “We simply ask that people be vigilant and continue their normal donation cycles.”
Indiana Blood Center is donating the units as part of a nationwide effort within America’s Blood Centers (ABC), the association of independent blood center in the United States. ABC has committed to sending 250 units each week, starting today, for six weeks.