As a two-time cancer survivor I applaud you for donating blood. It’s truly a heroic act :)

For your next donation please consider donating directly to your local hospital (hopefully a trauma and/or transplant center). The Red Cross charges hospitals for your blood. Here is a link:

http://www.bloodbook.com/part-4.html

Thanks again for donating! :)

-cg

Seriously, there is a donation procedure called ALYX that takes twice the blood in one sitting. That might reduce the amount of plastic used per amount of blood taken. You have to wait 16 weeks to give again instead of the usual 8, though.

The number of those who give is a small percentage of the population and the risk of plastic leaching is small compared to the risk of not having blood available, so until they get an alternative, it seems to me a good idea to keep giving.

Thank you for sharing your concerns. We will keep this matter under observation and act in accordance with any future regulatory requirements.

Dr R M Jones

From: Jessica
Sent: 23 May 2008 13:36
To: Dr Richard Jones
Subject: Re: DEHP

I strongly disagree with your assertion that there is no evidence of patient harm caused by DEHP. According to to the Health Care Without Harm web site, “DEHP…is classified by the EU as [a] reproductive toxicant. Animal studies have connected exposure to phthalates with damage to the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system – particularly the developing testes.” Additionally, there are suitable alternatives available. I urge you to reconsider your position on this matter.

Jessica [last name omitted]

Dr Richard Jones wrote:
>
> Dear Mrs [last name omitted]
>
> Thank you for your email.
> DEHP is a plasticiser commonly used in many licensed medical devices in addition to blood bags.The Welsh Blood Service (WBS) is aware of the leaching properties of this compound however it should be recognised that it has been in use for over 40 years without any evidence of patient harm and toxic levels have not been found in patients who have been transfused. Medical devices such as blood bags are strictly regulated within the EU. In UK the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the responsible authority and the WBS complies fully with all regulatory requirements. Government agencies in Europe and America continue to actively monitor the evolving clinical and scientific evidence and also the bag manufacturers themselves continue to search for newer compounds that provide a more suitable storage environment however, for the present, it is thought that the benefits of DEHP outweigh the risks.
>
> Dr R M Jones
> Medical Director
> Welsh Blood Service

–
http://bwlchyrhyd.blogspot.com

My last job was as Manager of Homeless and Disaster Operations for the Canadian Red Cross. From my understanding of the top=down, national structure of the national RCs, it would take a lawsuit to change any purchasing practice. So maybe a legal threat from damaged babies will someday force the change.

I gave up on giving blood in 1990 at York University when I was asked on a pre screening questionnaire if I was intimate with known homosexuals. I couldn’t get through to them that this was the most ineffective way to screen against HIV infection. They should have asked me about my risk taking behaviours. Soon, Hepatitis victims shut down the Canadian RC’s blood services, and a new agency was formed called Canadian Blood Services. But the Canadian RC still feels like the victim. It’s a hellish burocracy.

Horray for raising the alarm there, though. I hope they contact a legal department.

Love & RRRevolution, Tracey