FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 26, 2015
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
Mack Benton (America’s Blood Centers): 202-654-2915; mbenton@americasblood.org
Alliance for Aviation Across America Announces America’s Blood Centers as Members
Washington, DC—The Alliance for Aviation Across America today announced that America’s Blood Centers will be officially joining the Alliance and working with the group to raise awareness about the critical importance of general aviation as a tool that helps transport the nation’s blood supply. America’s Blood Centers is North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood programs representing more than 600 blood donor centers nationwide. In fact, America’s Blood Centers provides half of the United States’ blood supply.
“We are very excited to be working with such a prestigious organization as America’s Blood Centers to raise awareness about the importance of general aviation to the distribution of our nation’s blood supply,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation is especially useful in transporting blood to remote communities and during times of disaster.
General aviation has been used for transporting blood after the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001, it brought relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and has helped supply blood banks all across the country on a daily basis.
“General aviation and our nation’s airports represent a critical transportation network for supplying the country with blood,” stated Christine Zambricki, DNAP, CRNA, FAAN, CEO of America’s Blood Centers. “Many blood banks in rural areas wouldn’t be able to support their communities and communities would not be able to respond in times of need without general aviation and our network of airports. We look forward to working with the Alliance to raise awareness about the importance of blood banks across the country and the role of general aviation in the distribution of this critical need.”
About the Alliance for Aviation Across America
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.
About America’s Blood Centers
Founded in 1962, America’s Blood Centers is North America’s largest network of community based, independent blood programs. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its critical work in patient care and disaster preparedness and response, the federation operates more than 600 blood donor centers providing half of the U.S., and a quarter of the Canadian blood supply. These blood centers serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. America’s Blood Centers’ U.S. members are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Canadian members are regulated by Health Canada.
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