*This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
1994.02.01 :  Shalala Chairs Federal Government Blood Donor Campaign

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE              Contact: HHS Press Office
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 1994                       (202) 690-6343


     President Clinton today asked HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala
to chair a federal government blood donor campaign to help relieve
a severe national and local blood shortage.

     Secretary Shalala will kick off the federal drive next week
when she will be first in line to donate blood at HHS headquarters'
opening blood collection for *This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
1994.

     "Blood donations and our nation's blood supply are at a
critically low point, apparently the worst in decades," Secretary
Shalala said.  "The president wants every Cabinet officer, every
federal employee and every citizen to do what we can to help
relieve this situation."

     Shalala will become chair of the Federal Government Blood
Donor Campaign, conducted by American Red Cross Blood Services,
Greater Washington/Baltimore Region.  The area includes some
425,000 civilian federal employees.

     "In the Washington/Baltimore area, federal employees can make
the difference between a shortage or an adequate supply of blood,"
the secretary said.  "We can set an example.  We owe it to
ourselves, our neighbors and our communities to step forward
and offer to help, not only at this time of critical need, but on
a regular basis."

     Shalala stressed that there is no danger of transmission of
disease to a blood donor from donating blood.  Misplaced fears
about donating blood, as well as bad weather, have apparently been
recent factors in reducing levels of blood donation.

     For example, at HHS headquarters, the year's opening blood
drive was postponed Jan. 20 due to the storm and cold weather which
caused federal offices to close. 

     At the HHS blood drive to be rescheduled for next week,
Secretary Shalala will announce specific goals of the federal
employee blood drive.