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The business of blood

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By ZACH PLUHACEK / Lincoln Journal Star

Sunday, Sep 30, 2007 - 12:19:45 am CDT

A stranger’s blood was pumped into Rochelle Dyer’s veins almost every week during chemotherapy sessions in 2000.

Since then, she has gotten blood for two stem cell transplants and several other surgeries.

“Whenever I’m in the hospital, I need blood,” said Dyer, lymphoma-free since 2001. 

Story Photo
Lab tech Katie Garver crossmatches blood. (Robert Becker)
Fact vs. Fiction

Rumors encountered by blood banks, hospitals and informed donors:
  • Fiction: People who donate blood are guaranteed an equal amount should they need it.
    Truth: Donors and non-donors must pay the same, and no priority is put on blood for donors.
  • Fiction: There is an upper age limit to donate blood.
    Truth: Anyone age 17 or older can donate blood, provided he or she meets health requirements.
  • Fiction: Hospitals often cancel or postpone necessary surgeries because of blood shortages.
    Truth: This rarely happens. In 2004, the number of surgeries postponed in the United States due to blood shortage was 546.
By the numbers
  • 5 - percent of people who will donate blood
  • 40 - percent of people who could be donors
  • 80 - approximate percent of people will receive blood by age 75
  • 45,079 - number of donations made to the Community Blood Bank in Lincoln in 2006, according to the organization’s annual report
  • $10,453,127 - total revenue from blood services reported by the Blood Bank in 2006
  • $3,848,561 - total production and storage costs, not including facilities and labor, reported by the Blood Bank in 2006
  • $4,439,558 - labor and benefits costs for 2006
  • $45,000 - estimated average Blood Bank salary, including part-time workers
Sure safety, scary costs

The Food and Drug Administration requires a dozen tests on every unit of blood, tacking about $55 onto the cost of each. Here’s a list of tests done on blood donated at the Community Blood Bank.
  • Hepatitis B surface antigen
  • Hepatitis B core antibody
  • Hepatitis C antibody
  • Hepatitis C nucleic acid test
  • HIV antibody
  • HIV nucleic acid
  • Syphilis antibody
  • Human T-cell lymphotropic antibody
  • Chagas*
  • Forward type screening
  • Back type screening
  • Antibody type screening
  • West Nile nucleic acid test
*Not required by the FDA

Where the blood goes

Units that go unused from the Community Blood Bank’s seven-day reserves are shared with other regions or countries, spokeswoman Joyce Halvorsen said. Primarily, however, the Blood Bank collects for these medical centers:
  • BryanLGH Medical Center West
  • BryanLGH Medical Center East
  • Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
  • Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
  • Nebraska Surgery Center
  • Lincoln Surgical Hospital
  • Dialysis Center of Lincoln
  • Annie Jeffrey Community Health Center in Osceola
  • Henderson Community Hospital
  • Jefferson Community Health Center, Fairbury
  • Seward Memorial Hospital
  • Warren Memorial Hospital in Friend
Who’s donated most?

Donating blood is, for many, almost a way of life. Here are some of Lincoln’s top living whole blood donors, with information on how much they donated courtesy of the Community Blood Bank.

Sally Dunham, 64

Donations: 223 (28.125 gallons)

Dunham began donating with the Community Blood Bank about 1970, shortly after graduating from college. She’s a substitute teacher now and still donates regularly.

“You go and you just do it because you’re healthy and it’s something you can do,” she said.

William Ramsay, 71

Donations: 183 (22.875 gallons)

Ramsay began selling his blood at Lincoln General Hospital when he was 18 or 19. As a college student, he thought the money was attractive, but he kept doing it for free until just recently.

“Donating blood was never any problem for me,” he said.

Garry Morgan, 58

Donations: 176 (22 gallons)

A service officer with the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, Morgan has been donating blood since about 1974, when he lived in Omaha.

“Honestly,” he said, “the first go-around it was more individualistic. ... I liked the little mini-physical examination. I was fortunate enough to be healthy and had good blood.”

Larry Cada, 66

Donations: 174 (22 gallons)

Cada first began donating in 1958 at the Clarkson Red Cross branch. He’s been giving blood at the Community Blood Bank since about 1971.

“My dad did it,” he said.

Richard Egger, 72

Donations: 173 (21 gallons)

Egger said he was one pint from donating 22 gallons of blood when his cardiologist told him he couldn’t donate any more. The Wal-Mart people greeter, who has been giving blood since about 1968, also works part-time at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.

“(Donating blood is) an easy thing to do,” he said. “You develop the habit. - There becomes a little pride factor to it. ... Blood donors are quiet heroes.”

Robert Hanson, 55

Donations: 163 (20 gallons)

Hanson hasn’t donated this year because of surgeries. He has been giving blood since he was a teenager; he began with the Community Blood Bank in about 1975.

“It just sounded like the right thing to do,” he said.

Ross Smith, 68

Donations: 183 (22.875 gallons) Smith began giving blood when he was in his 30s, but he had to give it up recently because of medication he takes.

“Everybody’s got that extra pint that they can give up,” he said. “It’s relatively painless.”

Her insurance paid the bills, and she didn’t know what the transfusions cost — until last month, when she called the company to ask.

“Wow.”

Two units, or about two pints, of irradiated red blood cells she received during a hip replacement surgery in February showed up on her bill at $1,154.78 — for something two strangers gave away.

Donors gave Lincoln’s Community Blood Bank more than 5,349 gallons of red cells, whole blood and platelets in 2006.

From those donations, the Blood Bank reported revenues of about $10.5 million, more than $10 million of which it used to cover ever-increasing expenses.

The Community Blood Bank and the American Red Cross orchestrate blood collection in the Lincoln area. The Blood Bank, a charitable nonprofit organization founded by the Lancaster County Medical Society, handles the vast majority of local donations.

Former donor David Anderson, who stopped giving blood at the Blood Bank a few years back, said he has unanswered questions about the whole process.

He knows what he has seen in person, what he has heard from former employees and what he has read on the Blood Bank’s tax forms: facilities that he says look like “Hilton hotels” and six-figure salaries for the organization’s higher-ups.

“I always have to wonder, do they really need the blood or do they need the revenue? I just want to know, does the (Blood Bank) need to live as high on the hog as they appear to be?

“To be fair, it’s not just the Blood Bank; it’s the hospitals as well.”

‘Added value’

There is more to the business of blood than cookies and juice.

“We add value to the gift,” Community Blood Bank CEO Phyllis Ericson said. “We’re making a quality product over here. … The public doesn’t think of that time in there to get it on the shelf.”

Today, U.S. hospitals typically pay blood-collection centers more than $200 per unit of red blood cells. Testing, storing, transporting and transfusing that blood can take days and span thousands of miles.

Storage space at the Blood Bank’s East Lincoln location bears an eerie resemblance to the frozen food section at a supermarket, with tags marking each blood type.

From there, Blood Bank employees ship their product to area hospitals, keeping an equal amount on reserve for emergencies. When the reserves go unused for a period of time, they are sent to regions where there is more need.

In the 1930s, hospitals screened donors for disease, then more or less plugged them into recipients.

“We don’t do it the old-fashioned way — hook you up (to the recipient) — anymore,” Ericson said.

Science and cents

Anderson sees the blood he gave as a gift, he said. He was never paid for the donations he began giving after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, nor did he expect to be.

But blood is not quantified like other gifts.

It has no actual monetary value, Ericson said, until it is processed and tested. The Blood Bank’s tax forms reflect that, reporting just $14,538 in direct public support for the 2005 fiscal year. All of that was cash.

So where and why does the price tag for donor blood become so hefty?

Expenses, local and national blood center officials say.

Among the costs locally:

* Bags to store leukocyte-reduced blood cells: $25 to $35 each.

* Advertising and recruiting at least 1,000 donors a week in 2005 at Lincoln’s Blood Bank: $330,476. That includes the cookies, juice and sandwiches donors get after giving blood, as well as T-shirts and other items.

* Processing 45,000 units of blood to meet federal safety standards: $3,343,158.

Since 2005 tax forms were filed, the Community Blood Bank has moved most of its testing from Lincoln to Memorial Blood Centers in Minnesota. Several small samples of each unit are sent there, and the rest stays in town.

The intent was to decrease processing costs, Community Blood Bank spokeswoman Joyce Halvorsen said. Whether the effort was successful is not known because the switch just happened this summer.

No employees were laid off when the Blood Bank moved the testing to Minnesota because they were needed for labeling, quality control and other tasks, Halvorsen said.

Minimum processing costs at the Minnesota center are about $55 per unit, said Dr. Jed Gorlin, director of the center. That covers a dozen required tests for blood typing, disease screening and other measures.

Other tests and actions — such as irradiating blood — can more than double that.

“As a comparison,” Halvorsen said, “if all the tests done on a unit of blood were to be ordered by your physician and done individually, the cost would be over $1,000.”

Testing costs are increasing because only four companies make the required chemicals. Two provide one category of reagents used in the tests, and two provide another.

So for each test performed, testing centers have only two options.

“This is a serious problem,” Gorlin said.

The only test not mandated by the FDA is that for Chagas, a parasite that could cause fatal heart disease or muscle weakness. Most blood centers, including the one in Minnesota, err on the side of caution and test for it.

Labor

Ericson, who has led the Community Blood Bank in Lincoln for 18 years, made nearly $160,000 in the 2005 fiscal year, according to tax forms.

That is $15,000 more than the average charity CEO salary nationwide and $25,000 more than the Midwest average, according to a study released Aug. 1 by Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of nonprofit groups.

Health charity executives nationwide earn an average of $151,556.

Ericson is a blood recipient herself, so she believes in the Blood Bank’s mission.

“I wouldn’t be walking on the face of the earth today if I hadn’t had   donors 20 years ago with a blood supply,” she said.

She also knows she could make more money in the private sector.

“I’m a clinical chemist. I could be working for a pharmaceutical (company),” Ericson said. “I choose to stay in Lincoln, but … I could go across the country.”

Sandra Miniutti, vice president of Charity Navigator, said such charities as the Community Blood Bank typically attract executives with more education and place greater demands on their schedules.

“They tend to be a little bit larger institutions, a little bit more complex,” she said.

Two organizations, the AABB and America’s Blood Centers, or ABC, are industry associations for CEOs like Ericson and their employees.

ABC board President Don Doddridge, who is also the CEO of a community blood center in Florida, works with government representatives and private companies to keep legislation and costs in the local blood bank’s favor.

Doddridge, who is not paid for the work he does for ABC, guessed he could make about twice as much working at a private business — likely a pharmaceutical corporation — than he does as CEO of the Florida blood center.

“I’m here because I believe in the cause. I believe we’re doing something good for our community,” Doddridge said. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”

The job of a blood center CEO is different from that of a private business CEO in that there is less emphasis on profit-making and more on creating a quality product, Ericson said in an interview last month.

“I don’t have any stockholders to pay off at the end of the year,” she said. “All I have to do is stay right above red.”

Janette Twait, CEO of the Siouxland Community Blood Bank in Sioux City, Iowa, made $90,596 in 2005, according to Siouxland’s tax returns.

The Siouxland center’s gross receipts were about $1 million higher in 2005 than were the Lincoln Blood Bank’s. In 2007, Twait said, her blood center collected about 51,000 units of blood — about 6,000 more than Lincoln’s center.

Twait has been CEO of the Siouxland Blood Bank for eight years and has held management positions there for more than 30 years.

“I am not totally familiar with the organization of (Lincoln’s) Community Blood Bank, but overall I would understand our organizations to be quite similar,” Twait said in an e-mail.

In 2005, the Siouxland blood center reported having about 127 employees. That same year, Lincoln’s Blood Bank had 85.

The Community Blood Bank in Lincoln now employs 96 people, 83 full time. They include phlebotomists, registered nurses and career scientists.

Labor takes up the largest chunk of the expenses — almost $4.5 million in 2006, at an average of more than $45,000 per person per year.

“We want to recruit talented people,” Ericson said. “They don’t work for free. We are competing out in the marketplace.”

Mary Brown has worked for Lincoln’s Blood Bank for four years and is now a site supervisor.

“I think everybody finds their niche in nursing, and I like the wellness aspect of it,” she said. “We’re working towards a goal to achieve the best product that we can provide for people in dire need.”

Shelby Stubbendick was making roughly $9.70 an hour as a telephone recruiter at the Blood Bank in 2006. She worked there for 2½ years.

Stubbendick said she was fired by the Blood Bank for not meeting a quota she feels was unrealistic: Of 100 to 120 people she called every day, her bosses expected her to set up donation appointments for 30.

“They told us that we had to get the 30 appointments every day — each one of us — or they were gonna let us go. And they only gave us a week to accomplish this.”

She said she and two other employees didn’t make the cut.

The effort to recruit and keep donors is part of everything the Blood Bank does, Halvorsen said.

It’s the reason Stubbendick’s job was such a high-pressure one.

“They call on a regular basis,” Halvorsen said. “We never do cold calling. It’s always someone who’s had a relationship with the Blood Bank.”

Clean floors and juice

Calls from recruiters weren’t the first thing that came to David Anderson’s mind as he rattled off his list of blood business-inspired qualms. Mostly, he was in awe of the Blood Bank’s buildings.

“They look like Hilton hotels rather than Motel 6s,” he said.

The Blood Bank bought its newest building, at 2700 Fletcher Ave., from Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. for $1,950,000 in March, according to the Lancaster County Assessor’s Office. The site opened in June.

In May 2001, the Blood Bank bought a 21,000-square-foot building at 100 N. 84th St. from Berkley Regional Insurance Co. for $2,150,000.

In its annual report, the Blood Bank estimated it faced more than $1.3 million in facilities expenses for 2006, or 12.3 percent of its total expenses.

In 2005, the depreciated total value of land, buildings and equipment owned by the Blood Bank was reported at almost $4.4 million. The Siouxland Blood Bank reported roughly $1 million in such assets.

“If we had dirt on the floor, I don’t think we’d have donors in here,” Halvorsen said. “We enjoy the highest return rate of donors in the United States.”

More than 90 percent of its blood comes from return donors,  Ericson said. Twait said the Siouxland center’s donor retention rates are slightly lower than Lincoln’s Blood Bank.

Donors here averaged 2.9 units of red cells in 2006, according to the Blood Bank’s annual report. The national average was less than 1.5 units per donor.

The Blood Bank does not pay donors, and, Halvorsen said, likely never will. Even when things get down to the wire like they did over the summer.

In early July, the Community Blood Bank and blood centers nationwide issued a critical appeal for donors.

“We’re hoping to see a lot of people who have never donated — or not for a long time,” Halvorsen said at the time. Her wish came true; donors turned out in force.

“Our first goal is that people donate blood,” Halvorsen said.

‘Identity issues’

Until this year, the Community Blood Bank was the only major blood-collection agency working in Lincoln. In January, the American Red Cross announced it would be pursuing blood donations here as well.

Halvorsen was hesitant to address any pairing off between the two organizations, asking: “How can you compete for a gift?”

In a Sept. 21 letter to supporters, however, CEO Ericson directly addressed the Red Cross’ initiative in Lincoln, asking for continued donations to the Blood Bank.

“Several Lincoln businesses, churches and schools have already been contacted by the American Red Cross (ARC) about hosting a blood drive,” it read.

“While the Lincoln ARC Chapter has done a commendable job responding to area disasters, blood donations to Omaha’s ARC Midwest Blood Services do not help patients served by BryanLGH Medical Center, Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center or Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.”

Ericson also said in the letter that anyone asked to host a Red Cross blood drive should contact the Community Blood Bank.

Blood Bank officials say they are the exclusive providers of blood products to most of the area’s nonprofit hospitals.

“Our primary focus — our reason for being in the community — is that we are the blood supplier to our nonprofit hospitals here in Lincoln,” Halvorsen said. “With another blood-collection agency in town, there’s a lot of confusion. … We’ve had some real identity issues.”

Randy Jones, executive director of the Lancaster County Red Cross, said his organization provides blood to the Nebraska Heart Institute and medical centers across the world.

Regardless of who receives the blood, he said, there is no difference in how important the donation is.

“Maybe that life is in Des Moines, Iowa, or Dallas, Texas. I don’t really care,” he said. “It doesn’t matter where people give their blood. The key is people are giving blood to save lives.”

A gift

Mary Sorensen, director of laboratory services at Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, has worked at the hospital for 32 years.

She knows the business of blood as well as anyone.

Most months, she said, Saint Elizabeth uses from 700 to 800 blood products. Transfusions nationwide totaled more than 14 million units in 2004.

“The Community Blood Bank charges us a fee that’s called the processing fee,” she said. “That fee that they charge us, we pass through to the patient that gets the blood.”

The hospital also charges patients varying fees for cross-matching and administering blood.

At a very rough estimate of $500 per transfusion, the nationwide blood trade would be a billion-dollar business.

But the bottom line, Halvorsen said, is getting donations — getting strangers to give on a regular basis to save someone else, like Rochelle Dyer.

“The community determines our existence,” she said. “They’re in the mood to donate, and they need to donate. They’re gonna save a life.”

Reach Zach Pluhacek at 473-7395 or zpluhacek@journalstar.com.


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blood donor wrote on September 30, 2007 2:48 am:
" Thank you to the Community Blood Bank for being in our community. By the articles' count, this means that over 128,000 patients and also their families were impacted in 2006 by the dedication of your employees. I am glad to know that where I live, you will have safe blood ready for my needs. I am also glad to give you an hour of my time to continue the good work that you do. "

 another blood donor wrote on September 30, 2007 7:26 am:
" Through much of this article you insinuate the blood bank is doing something wrong. I bet if you need the blood you'll be right in line to take it. Donating blood is a good thing. your comments from Mr. Anderson appear to be hearsay and are intent on casting doubt. For what? "

 blood donorette wrote on September 30, 2007 10:02 am:
" this is a suspicious article ... it sounds like the red cross is behind it. please support the community blood bank, they are doing a great job! "

 blood doner wrote on September 30, 2007 10:19 am:
" Anderson Who??? If he had a Question, why did'nt he walk in and ask!! Why go to the back door? "

 Booth wrote on September 30, 2007 12:24 pm:
" This article sheds interesting light on what is involved to ensure that the highest quality and safe blood is available for those who need it. Although donors provide it for free, there is so much more to the process to ensure the lifeline between donor and recipient is met at the highest standards. If you consider all the fear and concern that surfaced with blood donations in the 1980s about tainted blood and the possibility that one could get AIDS from a transfusion, this highlights the valuable work that the Community Blood Bank staff do to ensure blood is safe and ready when needed. I'm sure that if one pint of blood was transfused and the recipient got AIDS or HIV that the public would ask why the CBB wasn't taking the necessary precautions. One thing I think peole need to consider when reading the salaries and costs involved is that you need quality experts and trusted people at the CBB to ensure the blood meets the highest standards. I was not aware that Ms. Ericson was a chemist. Impressive. What's more impressive is that she, with her credentials, is willing to work and lead this non-profit at a moderate salary for a CEO. It's similar to the military general officer who serves a greater cause because he is dedicated to the cause. So, too, is Ms. Ericson. Good on her. Bottomline, when you are at one of the hospitals that the blood bank exclusively serves, be thankful that you have them here serving the community. One final point, the Red Cross and Blood Banks serve their unique roles. But remember that we are all in this together to save lives. "

 Sher wrote on September 30, 2007 1:19 pm:
" The local hospitals do get all of their blood exclusively from the Community Blood Bank. I would hate for us to have a shortage of bloof because the Red Cross ois recruiting blood donors. It is good to save all lives, but it shouldn't lower local available blood for the hospitals here in Lincoln. "

 blood donor wrote on September 30, 2007 2:27 pm:
" I noticed that the article did not mention how much the Red Cross paid their executives or charged for their blood products. That would be interesting to know. Because they certainly are not donating their time or products to our community either. At least the Community Blood Bank is committed to ensuring that we have an adequate LOCAL blood supply. While I am happy to give to national needs when crisis arises, I feel it is my responsibility to take care of my local community on an ongoing basis. So, contrary to Mr. Jones' comments, it does matter to me where my blood is going (and no one is "giving" it away, not even the Red Cross). "

 whatever wrote on September 30, 2007 3:40 pm:
" So, if I donate blood to the blood bank, how much do the hospitals etc. profit from my donation? "

 A blood donor wrote on September 30, 2007 3:43 pm:
" My son was given blood when he was an infant, I am so thankful someone had taken the time to donate before he needed it. It was there, tested and ready to go for him. I donate blood now and I love going to our community blood bank. It's clean and nice and the staff is professional, knowledgeable and kind when I go in to give. I'm glad we live in a community where people are willing to give blood and we have a great place to go and donate!! "

 another donor wrote on September 30, 2007 3:46 pm:
" I have been a blood donor for about 5 years since introduced to the process in college. The Lincoln Blood Bank has been excellent with the nicest, experienced people there every step of the way. It really hit home how important donating was when my sister needed three units of blood after an emergency medical procedure last year. Looking at the bag of blood that was saving her life and knowing that it came from someone who cared enough to give up an hour of their time and a slight needle stick made me even more of a blood donor advocate. Don't wait until someone you love needs it, call and make an appointment to donate. Someone will silently thank you, too. "

 Question ~ wrote on September 30, 2007 5:22 pm:
" How much of the blood collected by the Community Blood Bank is sent outside Lincoln? I know in my community of York that the Community Blood Bank doesn't serve the local hospital yet collects regularly. What's up with that? "

 Nancy wrote on September 30, 2007 6:09 pm:
" What was the purpose of this story? I'm confused. The Lincoln Blook Center has a long history of being a community partner and providing vital resource for local hospitals. Why the one sided attack? What's the point? How much does the ARC CEO earn annually? How much does ARC spend on recruitment costs? I'm confused and disturbed by the feeble attempt to discredit such a reputible service organization as the Lincoln Community Blood Bank. "

 recipients wife wrote on September 30, 2007 6:26 pm:
" My husband was a recipient of the gift of blood... I am very thankful that the blood was there when he needed it. He is not with us anymore as the cancer took his life but I know that the blood that he did receive enabled him to be with us a few more days. I thank all those that donate blood and appreciate the Community Blood Bank and all they do. "

 andy wrote on September 30, 2007 6:40 pm:
" sick. If our masters(government) would allow people to be paid for our body products, then blood, among other products, would never be in short supply. So, according to this article, it turns out that blood is no different than any other product that is sold. Except that the source is not paid. Free blood! Why, oh why should we be expected to DONATE a product that produces millions in revenue? On that basis, why don't you go work for free ina hospital a few hours a month? Yeah I know, its all part of the Socialist takeover of america. When will they start giving tax breaks for "donations"? soon, I'm sure. Until the powers that be recognize my right to sell myself as I see fit I will not donate blood. Period. "

 our community wrote on September 30, 2007 6:58 pm:
" Thank you to the community blood bank for the safe supply of blood that we sometimes take for granted. We should be standing behind the blood bank instead of creating a doubt. The red cross should not be drawing in our community and taking our blood donors. Whenever someone is receving blood in our local hospital it makes me feel good that I know it is safe,came from right down the street & most likely drawn by someone I know by first name. The doubt should be set about the red cross, their yearly fines for unpure product double's what the blood bank has listed for income. Thanks Community Blood Bank! "

 satisfied donor wrote on September 30, 2007 7:28 pm:
" I am upset to about this article. I would hate for anybody to question if they should donate blood or not because of this article. Why doesn't it say anything about how much the Red Cross staff earns or how much they spend on their processes and all of their fines. I would hope that all Lincoln businesses and donors stay loyal to their local blood center and not to the Red Cross. The Red Cross doesn't supply our hospitals. Please dont stop donating. "

 Nearly 2 Gallon Donor wrote on September 30, 2007 7:40 pm:
" Whooa there! Think maybe this article is slanted a lot? Reads like someone out there is against donating to the Blood Bank! Although I didn't see any salary comparisons to the people at the Red Cross, what differnce does it make (what these people earn!) in the long run. They have a very necessary job and they do it very well!! If you or one of your family needed blood, would you put a price on it? Doubtful. I've been a blood donor for many years, and now donate platelets, and I like knowing the building is clean, well-staffed, and professional. I could go on, but my main concern is: what if this article creates questions, (in possible donor's minds), and they don't come in, anymore? What happens if YOU need blood, or someone you know is involved in a situation that requires platelets and nobody responds to the need? I'll be there, and maybe some of the rest of you will join me. It's the right thing to do. "

 dedicated blood donor wrote on September 30, 2007 7:44 pm:
" I have been a blood donor for years and I appreicate the professional friendly "paid" collection staff. The staff always makes me feel good about donating. I am proud to donate for "OUR" Community Blood Bank. The Red Cross should stay in their own area and not attempt to take donors and blood from our hos[itals "

 Professional wrote on September 30, 2007 10:59 pm:
" I am amazed that anyone would think that an executive of a $10 million company with the education, training and experience that the blood bank's CEO has should be paid less. That's not even counting the community health responsibilities that are part of her job. CEO's of most businesses in Lincoln or Omaha would think she was seriously underpaid. Bottom line, who cares, as long as the blood is on the shelf and the products are safe and high quality. "

 5 gallon donor wrote on September 30, 2007 11:07 pm:
" Interesting that the Red Cross guy says giving to them may help if you are in Des Moines or Dallas. Great idea -but wrong. Both are served by community blood centers like we have - neither area is served by Red Cross. "

 A nurse wrote on October 1, 2007 7:21 am:
" As a nurse, I see blood products go to our needing patients on a daily basis. I am thankful that the blood supply is safe and that we have this product for our patients on a moments notice. It is concerning to see an article that seems to be intent on casting doubt on an organization that has worked hard to provide a safe product. It is us and our patients that will ultimately lose if we do not continue to support our blood centers. "

 journalist wrote on October 1, 2007 7:40 am:
" This article's credibility is lost in its disjointed presentation. What was the main point? I am confused as to the reporter's real intent. Is the recycling industry next on your hit list? After all, I bring my papers and plastics for free, and someone down the line is making a profit from that donation. I hope that comments from readers such as 'andy' and this reporter do not cause people to question why they donate blood. Let's face it, the government regulates what we do and the Community Blood Bank follows those regulations. We are lucky to have this fine organization as a partner to our doctors and hospitals ready to save the life of the next auto accident or cancer diagnosis victim. It takes all of us working together to make a difference in Lincoln. "

 Does money really matter?!! wrote on October 1, 2007 1:44 pm:
" What is the big deal about how much everyone makes. Thought saving lifes was the main concern. I am a 10 gallon donor and love the Community Blood Bank. They cater to my every need. These jokers need to go home and re-read this article. If you need blood someday you would love the Community Blood Bank also. What was the point of this article mister? Maybe you should get your facts straight. And for Andy find a heart you mean person. "

 Brandon wrote on October 1, 2007 1:51 pm:
" The article fails to point the FDA does not allow payment if the blood is meant for transfusion. A place that pays for your blood donation is using it to make medicine. So is this guy going to start picking on the Ministers make next? "

 our community wrote on October 1, 2007 3:21 pm:
" I for one am proud to say that our blood given here in our hospitals is safe, comes from right down the street & most likely drawn by someone that I know by first name. It comes as no shock to see what the blood bank gross's in a year, that is gross..did you also see all of the expenses that are listed? Blood safety is first and foremonst on everyones mind, the red cross does not personally care about you or I, they are fined tens of millions of dollars every year for their un-pure practices, do you want that blood given to your loved one? "

 Nancy wrote on October 1, 2007 7:06 pm:
" Where do York residents go for more advanced care? Where was he recent Epworth Village shooting victim transferred to? Lincoln Hospital serve the state. Are Lincolnites expected to provide all the blood needed for the trauma center and burn units? "

 Carol wrote on October 2, 2007 11:36 am:
" WHat the writer also missed in this article is that the Red Cross is now paying FINES to the FDA because they have violated federal regulations that are required for blood safety. The Lincoln blood center, on the other hand, is working hard to keep qualified, trained staff and to provide the SAFEST blood possible, and under the leadership of its CEO, has avoided the kinds of errors that has gotten the Red Cross into trouble. Remember that blood is considered a pharmaceutical by the FDA, and blood centers must maintain high standards in order to provide safe blood to patients. That is why the end product is so costly. "

 whatever wrote on October 2, 2007 11:47 am:
" It seems to me the masses give so the elite profit. Again, who makes the money here. If it's all about giving then why aren't the hospitals doing their part by giving to the community as well? "

 Agrees with Whatever wrote on October 2, 2007 1:40 pm:
" Here are costs directly from the article: cost to process to a unit of blood - $55, cost to the hospital for a unit of blood - $200, cost to the patient for a unit of blood - $577. So don't try to say this ISN'T A MONEY MAKING BUSINESS. Yes it's very noble and charitable for you to give blood and yes its saving lives every day. That is your reward and I'm sure for many that is sufficient. Their reward, however, is a good deal of cash....for YOUR time and YOUR blood. Too bad that such charitable behavior can't be passed on to the recipient. That is the issue here. Sure there are going to be costs but does it have to be so darn much? It appears greedy to me and sullies the gift of the donors. "

 Blood lady wrote on October 2, 2007 5:43 pm:
" I am reading these comments from a state in the west. I hate to tell those dissenting individuals who wrote in - I've worked in Blood Centers for years, I'm an SBB with a degree plus post graduate classes and I spent a one extra year - gaining as much knowledge as I could about blood. I work currently in a small blood center, that collects 25,000 units. We have to do the same testing, have the same procedures, pay the same for our supplies that big blood centers do and we don't get volume discounts. The only difference is that we do it on a smaller scale. As small as we are, we have one person who only does Procedures 374 and counting plus training forms, competency records, forms, etc. that have to updated as often as the gov changes regulations. We have 2 people doing QA (regulations from the Gov). One who spends most of their time with the computer systems we have to have to capture all the donor and testing data and to make it safe from hackers. For all of you nay sayers, go to your local blood bank and visit, I would guess that you aren't donors. Get in touch - I'm a regular donor and have been for many years - however, I donate platelets. They don't live as long and taking 90-120 minutes to donate. The sterile kits are > $150 each, so we spend some of the money we make, trying to convince the donors to come back and allow us to stick them again. I spent years working 60-80 hrs a week just trying to help this center survive. I have no say what the hospitals charge for their services but I can assure you that the majority of blood centers don't have marble floors and stained glass windows. I read complaints about the building blood centers were in,so,do you have windows, or your own office or enough employees at your business? If you do you are lucky. Blood centers have worked out of the basements of water towers, in hospital basements and where ever they could, just to provide blood. Besides who would donate at a center that wasn't clean or well kept. I sincerely hope that you or your familly never need blood - just ask some of those faithful donors who give because we gave their daughter another year, or were there when their grandfather needed blood for his heart surgery. How would you feel if those people who donated didn't when your loved one needed it? I hope that never happens. Support your LOCAL blood center, they support your community... "

 Lydia wrote on October 3, 2007 7:58 am:
" I'm happy that some people got the point! The point is that thanks to blood donors there is blood available for you and me when we need it! The point is NOT about who is making what amount of money, but about those who are donating blood so that others may live! "

 Blood drive recruiter/organizor wrote on October 3, 2007 12:20 pm:
" It is great to see/read all of the prior comments on seeing the point of view for the needs of a blood bank (inculding cost etc). I always find challenges from those that have never had the need for a medical transfusion. Qaulity has to be the mainstay in this business-all it takes is one small error, and it could mean the difference between helping, and ending a life. On the other hand, just ask anyone who has had a transfusion-it is "a priceless gift." "

 WCG wrote on October 5, 2007 8:20 am:
" We all know how expensive medical tests have become, and with the concerns about blood-borne diseases, I'm sure we're all happy that precautions are being taken. Does this guy expect blood to be collected behind a barn with used needles? I've donated 15 gallons of blood over the years, and I'm proud of it. How else can you save lives with such a minimal investment of time? Of course it's expensive by the time it gets to the hospital! What isn't? But don't let this stop you from donating. It really IS life-saving. Most people who donated after 9/11 never returned. How sad is that? Blood is needed EVERY DAY. How many of you reading this have invented your own excuse to avoid donating blood? Re-think it, please! "

 Donors chill out wrote on October 5, 2007 3:07 pm:
" I think the point many folks are trying to make is you donors give your blood for free. No one is saying that is not a great thing. The fact is by the time your blood gets to the person who needs it, its costing them quite a bit of money to get it. So the point is its pretty sad that the blood bank or the hospital or WHOMEVER is profiting so much off or your free donation. "

 Dedicated Blood Donor wrote on October 7, 2007 6:55 pm:
" i think this article is trying to make the Community Blood Bank look bad and personally i dont argee with that.. The Community Blood Bank helps patients in the hospital save lives, and i think if you want to donate and save lives then help out otherwise quit complaining! i will continue to donate because i dont need to get paid for my blood, saving someone's life is enough payment for me! "

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