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There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers and health care providers that directed blood donations requested for certain donor characteristics (e.g., vaccination status, gender, sexual orientation, religion) lack scientific support and to be cautious about websites that offer memberships for delivery of blood and blood components from individuals who have not been vaccinated for COVID-19.    

Summary of the Issue

FDA is aware that some blood establishments and hospitals have received requests from patients who need a blood transfusion and wish to receive directed donations only from personally chosen relatives, friends, or other individuals with certain characteristics (e.g., specific gender, sexual orientation, vaccination status, or religion). Such directed blood donations lack scientific support.   

There is no evidence that directed donation provides safer blood and blood components for transfusion. All blood donors must be found eligible to donate blood for others under FDA regulations (21 CFR Part 630) and all donations intended for transfusion [...]

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized recommendations for assessing blood donor eligibility using a set of individual risk-based questions to reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted HIV. Read More….

https://www.hhs.gov/blog/2023/01/11/giving-blood-saves-lives.html

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800275

https://www.hhs.gov/blog/2023/01/11/giving-blood-saves-lives.html

https://www.aabb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/resources/individual-risk-assessment-dhq-example-model-using-canadas-eligibility-criteria.pdf

https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eoDetails?rrid=290316

Click to View and Download Document

This document is a Request of Proposal (“RFP”) for legislative affairs representation and administrative services on issues relating to blood services coalition administration.

Blood Centers of California (BCC) is seeking proposals for strategic advice and legislative representation (lobbying) services as well as administrative management for our coalition. Contract terms desired is for one (1) year, with an option to renew for an additional one (1) year term.

Additionally, BCC is seeking proposals for administrative management of the coalition including website upkeep, meeting scheduling, agenda preparation and recording and distributing meeting minutes.

Please submit an electronic copy of your proposal no later than August 31, 2022 to:

Susan Noone, President, Blood Centers of California

snoone @vitalant.org

Blood Centers of California

I. Introduction

Blood Centers of California (BCC) is an alliance of 11 non-profit blood centers, located throughout the state. BCC members supply more than 1.4 million units of blood and blood [...]

San Diego Blood Bank recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of a ninth donation center. The new Chula Vista location replaces a temporary donation site that opened in December 2020 in Chula Vista’s Terra Nova Plaza to help collect blood at the height of the pandemic. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the San Diego Woman’s Club presented the blood bank with a check for $25,000 to support the needs of this new site. Speakers included San Diego Blood Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Doug Morton and Sharp Chula Vista CEO, Dr. Pablo Velez. This new location is expected to collect more than 400 donations each month, potentially impacting more than 114,000 lives every year. (Source: San Diego Blood Bank Announcement, 6/8/22) 

LifeStream Blood Bank chosen as a 2022 Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes   

View the statement issued by AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross regarding the status of the nation’s blood supply

View the statement issued by AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross regarding the status of the nation’s blood supply

View Statement from AABB, America’s Blood Centers and American Red Cross

http://www.aabb.org/Pages/default.aspx

https://covidplasma.org/

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx

CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States.  We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.  This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.  In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

It is critical to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing remains important to slowing the spread of the virus.  CDC is additionally advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do [...]

The federal government on Thursday relaxed restrictions on receiving blood donations from gay men and other groups as the country confronts a severe drop in the U.S. blood supply that officials described as urgent and unprecedented.

The Food and Drug Administration’s new rules are intended to spur a wave of donations as the coronavirus outbreak has caused donor centers to be closed and blood drives to be canceled nationwide.

Under the new policy, men who have had sex with other men will be able to give blood more quickly. Federal rules previously made such donors wait 12 months before giving blood. That wait has been shortened to three months.

LGBTQ rights advocates cautiously welcomed the policy change, saying federal officials should remove all wait times for gay men, saying such a rule stigmatizes gay and bisexual men.

“LGBTQ Americans can hold their heads up today and know that our voices will always triumph over discrimination,” said GLAAD President and [...]

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/

https://covid19.ca.gov/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

This page will be updated daily. Numbers close out at 4 p.m. the day before reporting.

https://www.aabb.org/press/Pages/pr200304.aspx

Bethesda, Md. – As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread in the United States, the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism is urging individuals to make and keep donation appointments and organized blood drives to ensure the continued adequacy of the blood supply.

It is imperative that healthy individuals donate to minimize disruptions to the blood supply and ensure blood is available for patients. If the outbreak of coronavirus expands, additional challenges may arise, which could potentially reduce the number of eligible donors and disrupt collection events. Since it is the blood already on the shelves that saves lives, maintaining a sufficient blood supply is essential to ensure patients in need receive optimal treatment.

“We are asking potential donors, both current and first-timers, to make and keep appointments to ensure that a sufficient blood supply will continue to be available for all patients who need it,” said Brian G. Gannon, [...]

California Department of Public Health Imperial County is reporting the first West Nile virus death in California for 2019. As summer progresses, the risks of West Nile virus increase. CDPH recommends following the “Three Ds:”

–DEET. Apply EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535 according to label instructions.

-DAWN AND DUSK. Wear proper clothing and repellent during dawn and dusk, as those are the times mosquitoes are most likely to bite.

-DRAIN. Drain all standing water on your property, as that’s where mosquitoes lay their eggs.

Learn more: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR19-020.aspx

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 27, 2019

Contact: AABB Communications 
Magda Yang 
+1.301.215.6569 

AABB Issues Recommendations to Decrease Group O Blood Overuse

Association encourages blood banks and hospitals to work together to optimize group O blood use.

Bethesda, Md. – In response to ongoing blood shortages in many regions of the United States, AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks) this week released a series of recommendations to help blood collection facilities and hospitals decrease the overuse of group O blood. Known as “universal donors” since their blood can be transfused to any patient, individuals with group O-negative blood comprise nearly seven percent of the blood donor population but use of O-negative red blood cells accounts for nearly 11 percent of all transfused red blood cells — an unsustainable ratio that continues to threaten the stability of the nation’s blood supply.

The AABB Association Bulletin’s recommendations are particularly important as many regions in the United States [...]

California Wildfires Impacting the Blood Community

Statement from America’s Blood Centers

As the wildfires in California continue to burn, the devastation left in their wake remains including more than 60 deaths as of Thursday, November 15th.   The tragedy has displaced many more as a result of damage and/or mandatory evacuations.

This particularly hits close to home for the blood community as some employees at ABC member blood centers Northern California Community Blood Bank and Vitalant (formerly BloodSource) have been displaced as their homes and possessions were destroyed and their lives disrupted.

While fixed site locations have been spared thus far, the impact of the fires continues to alter operations as drives have been canceled and some fixed site locations temporarily closed. Currently, the blood needs of blood centers in the region are being met. The AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism is monitoring the situation and any needs of affected [...]

Saving for Uncertain Times

The state’s Rainy Day Fund, established by a vote of the people in 2014, saves money when the economy is strong for uncertain times ahead. By the end of 2018-19, the current economic expansion will have matched the longest in post-war history. The budget fully fills the fund, growing the balance to an unprecedented $13.8 billion.

Supporting our Schools 
The budget increases funding by more than $4,600 per student over 2011-12 levels and directs $78.4 billion in funding to K-14 schools – a 66 percent increase in annual funding from seven years ago. Additionally, the state will fully implement the Local Control Funding Formula, correcting historical inequities in school district funding.

Counteracting the Effects of Poverty and Combatting Homelessness

The budget invests $5 billion to help address challenges with affordable housing and [...]

This afternoon the legislature voted on their budget and sent it to Governor Brown for his signature. The governor has 12 days to sign the budgetand has line item veto, should he wish to utilize it.

While there is a $16 billion reserve account, there are now 3 reserve accounts – rainy day which can hold 10% of GF revenues, an account for  “uncommitted reserves which hold $2 billion and a new ‘safety net reserve for social services, this account holds $200 million.

However, there is no expansion of health care or tax breaks offered to undocumented residents. SB 974 – Medi-cal access for those 65 and older and AB 2965 which provides access to Medi-cal for adults and those under age 26, both are still in committees, awaiting a hearing. No expansion of EITC for undocs.

There is an increase in K-14 education – $78 billion, $11,639 per student, $100 million one time and [...]

Local nonprofits were honored by state legislators as part of the third annual California Nonprofits Day Celebration. 

Date: June 14, 2018

Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life.

American Health Care Act – AHCA: what can we expect?

Meet the Senators working on the Senate version of the AHCA

Meet The Republican Men Secretly Reshaping Your Health Care

The Senate’s version of the American Health Care Act is likely to be revealed Thursday. Here’s an insider’s look…

The Senate version of the AHCA is to be released sometime today.

As information is made available I will share for your review, preliminary reports state there are few “major” changes to the House version. We do know that changes are being made to Medicaid and the subsidies that allow many to pay for their coverage are being reduced. It is also stated that the individual
mandate – have to have coverage – has been removed.

Medicaid is the largest health care program in the country, higher than Medicare. It covers most of the health care in the US offered by the government – half [...]

Download the report:

May Revise 2017-2018

The Congressional Budget Office is out with its estimate of what effects the Republican health bill, “The American Health Care Act.”

Read CBO report:
http://khn.org/news/deciphering-the-cbo-estimates-on-the-gop-health-bill/

A guide to what’s covered under the Affordable Care Act and the proposed Republican healthcare plan:

http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-na-pol-obamacare-repeal/

This report summarizes 10 important contributions toward addressing the threat posed by Zika virus in 2016:

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6552e1.htm?s_cid=mm6552e1_e

Screenings in a dozen states suggest that Zika infection remains exceedingly rare:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/15/health/zika-blood-bank-tests.html?WT.mc_id=SmartBriefs-Newsletter&WT.mc_ev=click&ad-keywords=smartbriefsnl&_r=1

View the number of travel-associated infections with Zika virus in California residents in 2015 and 2016:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/TravelAssociatedCasesofZikaVirusinCA.pdf

View the latest activity at the California Department of Public Health:

http://www.westnile.ca.gov/

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BCC Document Retention Policy – April 2024 BCC – ByLaws – Proposed Changes Approved 6-20-2022 Senator Bates Introduces SB 1025 Blood Centers of California Supports ADVANCE Governor’s Budget 2021-2022 May Revise 2021-2022 Governor’s Budget 2020-21 May Revise 2020 Governor Newsom’s 2019-20 Budget May Revise 2019 Sacramento Update 6-17-2019 Click to view theNonprofit of the Year 2018 Click to view the May Revise Highlights Click to view the SAC Update Click to view the American Health Care Act
Click to view the Update on Taxes and Healthcare Republican Draft Legislation

Affordable Care Act

ACA was passed in 2010 and fully implemented in 2014:

It is still a market based system, private for profit system; it did expand those eligible for Medicaid (state and federal program) – adults who are make less than 138% FPL (under age 65) joining those previously eligible – low income children and their parents, aged, blind and disabled, pregnant women.

ACA dropped

News

The Patient's Guide to Transfusions  A tri-fold brochure prepared by the California Department of Health Services in partnership with the Medical Technical Advisory Committee of the Blood Centers of California. This brochure provides consumers with available options for blood transfusions (Paul Gann Blood Safety Act, H&S § 1645). The Medical Board of California provides this publication in bulk. There is no charge for this brochure. Requests can be faxed to (916) 263-2479 and copies are available in bundles of 50. The Patient's Guide to Transfusions - English Version The Patient's Guide to Transfusions - Spanish Version One pint of whole blood weighs approximately one pound. Blood is comprised of red cells, plasma and platelets We can usually get up to four components from one pint of whole blood – red blood cells, plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate anti-hemophilic factor (AHF). Blood Centers prepare and transfuse blood components for life-saving transfusions: