Trauma Awareness Month is a reminder of one of the most pressing issues facing the blood supply today: the urgent need to expand access to blood products even before a patient makes it to the hospital. 
A blood transfusion given directly following trauma has been proven to save lives. One study found up to 5% increased odds of mortality for every minute of delay in access to blood. 
Despite these findings, significant barriers currently prevent the expansion of pre-hospital blood transfusions. 
But your Members of Congress could take action that would help take down these barriers and save lives. 
Your voice matters. Take action now and urge your Members of Congress to expand access to pre-hospital blood transfusions.

Take Action During Trauma Awareness Month to Help Save Lives

Ask Congress to Expand Access to Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions

Trauma Awareness Month is a reminder of one of the most pressing issues facing the blood supply today: the urgent need to expand access to blood products even before a patient makes it to the hospital. 

A blood transfusion given directly following trauma has been proven to save lives. One study found up to 5% increased odds of mortality for every minute of delay in access to blood. 

Despite these findings, significant barriers currently prevent the expansion of pre-hospital blood transfusions. 

But your Members of Congress could take action that would help take down these barriers and save lives. 

Your voice matters. Take action now and urge your Members of Congress to expand access to pre-hospital blood transfusions.

Trauma Awareness Month is a reminder of one of the most pressing issues facing the blood supply today: the urgent need to expand access to blood products even before a patient makes it to the hospital. This is an issue that America’s Blood Centers - the national organization of community-based, independent blood centers that supply 60 percent of the nation’s blood supply - is prioritizing. And it is one that is important to me as well.  

A blood transfusion given directly following trauma has been proven to save lives. One study found up to 5% increased odds of mortality for every minute of delay in access to blood.  

Despite these findings, significant barriers currently prevent the expansion of pre-hospital blood transfusions. For example, Medicare payments are currently insufficient to support the use of blood by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, and state and local licensure requirements can vary regarding the type of care a paramedic is allowed to provide.   

This reality impacts patients nationwide. According to the CDC, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death among individuals ages 1-44. Hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death following a severe injury, and sadly, up to 56% of those victims die before ever reaching the hospital.  

Making long-term reforms would allow more patients to receive life-saving blood products before reaching a hospital, saving more lives. To achieve this, I am asking you to introduce legislation to establish a demonstration program through the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) examining the use of pre-hospital blood.    

Thank you for your focus on this matter and for making strengthening America’s blood supply a national priority. I look forward to your prompt reply.

Take Action During Trauma Awareness Month to Help Save Lives

Ask Congress to Expand Access to Pre-Hospital Blood Transfusions

Message

Dear Office Holder (names will be automatically added on each email),