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Popular classic rock radio station KLOS 95.5 FM is hosting its annual blood drive and the American Red Cross employees who staff the event want to make the drive safer for blood donors.
The “Let It Bleed” themed blood drive that started July 27 is one of the region’s most successful and Red Cross medical staff – the people who collect blood donations – are asking radio station leadership to work with them to improve safety standards at blood drives.
“KLOS blood drives have many younger donors and ensuring their safety when donating is a major concern. We know that KLOS has blood donors’ safety in mind so we want to partner with them to ensure that working conditions promote donor safety and reduce blood safety errors on the job,” said Therese Mendoza, a registered nurse who works for the Red Cross.
Improvements in Red Cross blood safety are needed:
- For 17 years, Red Cross has operated under a federal consent decree that requires it to clean up its blood safety practices.
- The American Red Cross was slapped with a $16 million fine June 18 by the FDA for poor blood safety practices. This is the largest fine that ARC has received since it has been under a federal consent decree.
- Since 2003, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fined Red Cross $37 million for blood safety violations.
Red Cross Workers Seek a Fair Contract and Safe Staffing
In June about 300 American Red Cross nurses and medical professionals in Southern California who help supply blood for trauma centers, hospitals and emergency rooms went on strike. They were joined by more than 1,000 other Red Cross employees in seven states also seeking a nationwide agreement that guarantees blood drives are properly staffed to protect donor and blood safety.
Red Cross employees who collect blood throughout Southern California are members of SEIU Local 721. They have been negotiating since March for a fair contract that includes safety measures. Red Cross employees are seeking a contract that ensures proper staffing at all blood operations — including a fully trained RN in charge at every blood drive.
“We want the Red Cross to live up to its reputation as a caring and compassionate organization for the Americans in need and their own employees,” said Mendoza.