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News | Dec. 9, 2019

Employees help ease holiday shortage in blood supply

By Tim Hoyle DLA Disposition Services

Defense Logistics Agency employees and others who work at the Hart-Dole Inouye Federal Center took time Dec. 4 to help the American Red Cross tackle its holiday shortage.

A Dec. 2 press release from the Red Cross said more than 1 million units of blood could be transfused in the United States between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Almost 70 people rolled up their sleeves in the Federal Center’s Palm Garden Room offering to donate toward that need.

“The Red Cross said we had 4 people deferred and 65 total units given,” said Medical Technician Ann Chisholm.

The December drive added to pints collected at other events during the year for a final total of 350. Drives are normally scheduled every two months at the Federal Center to collect six times a year, but the February event was cancelled because of bad weather. Occupational Health Nurse Sharon Butters said April’s drive was effected because it came during spring break. Last year was also reduced to five drives after the cancellation of final 2018 event to observe former president George Bush’s memorial service.  Last year’s collections brought in 372 pints.

For more information on blood donations and scheduling, visit the Red Cross website or call 800-RED-CROSS.