Colleagues,
Current conditions with Middle Tennessee’s blood supply are critical. The American Red Cross predicts a shortfall regarding their ability to adequately replenish supplies of blood and blood products during the coming weeks.
The Red Cross reports that distractions or disruptions blood donors experience associated with the holidays, along with spikes in the pandemic are compounding an ongoing problem with the nation’s blood shortage.
As home to the region’s only Level I Trauma and Regional Burn Centers, along with the many patients we serve through the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, our advanced programs in stem cell transplant and hematology/oncology services, Vanderbilt University Medical Center is Middle Tennessee’s largest consumer of blood and blood products. Our ability to continue to meet the needs of patients served through these programs, and all others, is our foremost concern.
Currently, those managing our blood supply are following conservation tactics while your help is urgently needed. Over the coming days and weeks, the Red Cross will continue to hold blood drives at Light Hall, Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks and Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital. You can register online to donate at these VUMC locations, or the Red Cross reports they will be holding drives elsewhere.
Understandably, there are public health concerns about donating blood during the pandemic, but the Red Cross wants it stressed that donating is a safe process, and their blood drives have the highest safety standards. These blood drives are essential to support the operations of our hospitals and others across the nation.
I am asking you to please take this opportunity to help our patients by giving the gift of life through scheduling time to donate during this holiday season.
Sincerely,
C. Wright Pinson, MBA, MD
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Chief Health System Officer