American Red Cross Archives
Blood is critical for the treatment of young cancer patients; Red Cross blood drives offer an opportunity to help
Dec. 22, 2021—Children, teenagers and young adults with cancer are often dependent on blood transfusions as they undergo treatment. The current blood and blood product shortage puts these already vulnerable patients in peril, says Scott Borinstein, MD, associate professor of Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology. “The only way to cure these aggressive cancers is to administer intensive chemotherapy, which, unfortunately,...
As severe blood shortages continue, mothers and babies are counting on donors
Dec. 20, 2021—Mothers and their babies depend on the generosity of blood donors to ensure that they return to good health following labor and delivery. “As a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist, I have at least two patients at a time — mom and baby — and both need ample blood to stay well,” said Lisa Zuckerwise, MD, FACOG,...
Family knows firsthand the critical need for blood donations
Dec. 17, 2021—Vanderbilt cancer patient Brody Cramer knows all too well how crucial blood donations are. Since he was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year he has needed 23 units of red blood cells and 16 units of platelets.
Treating children with cancer requires a strong blood supply; donations critically needed
Dec. 8, 2021—The ongoing national blood shortage has serious implications for young cancer patients, says Dan Benedetti, MD, MA, assistant professor of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “I am a pediatric cancer specialist who takes care of infants, toddlers and school-aged children with solid tumors of their abdominal organs. To cure...
Treating severe trauma requires a robust blood supply; VUMC employees and public urged to donate blood now
Dec. 1, 2021—To understand the implications of the current, ongoing national blood shortage, which acutely deteriorated after the Thanksgiving holiday, VUMC employees need only to consider what the shortfall means to their own Level 1 Trauma Center…and potentially to them or their loved ones, said Oscar Guillamondegui, MD, MPH, Chief, Division of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care....
Meeting a critical need
Sep. 27, 2021—VUMC employees stepped up at last week’s blood drive to help address the current regional and national shortage of blood and blood products driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young named chief medical officer of American Red Cross
Jan. 4, 2018—Vanderbilt’s Pampee Young, MD, PhD, has been named chief medical officer of the American Red Cross.