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Bill allowing time off work to donate blood in effect January 1, 2006
Red Cross hopes new law will help ease blood shortage
January 3, 2006- The Employee Blood Donation Leave Act went into effect on January 1, 2006. This law
was developed in an effort to encourage more people to give blood and was sponsored by Rep. Robert Rita
(D-Crestwood), and Sen. William R. Haine (D-Alton). The Act provides for local government and private
sector full-time employees who work for companies with more than 50 employees to take an hour of paid
leave to donate blood. The legislation is modeled after the Organ Donor Leave Act, which gives state
employees time off to donate blood and organs. The American Red Cross hopes that this law will encourage
more people to donate blood regularly.
“When you, your family member or your loved one has medical trouble, you want to know that there will be
enough blood to treat them. We want to make sure that people who are willing to contribute to our
emergency blood supply get the opportunity to do it,” Gov. Blagojevich said when he signed the bill into
law.
Employees will be allowed to donate blood every 56 days if approval is granted from his or her employer.
While employers must still give workers permission to take the hour off, having it in statute codifies its
importance.
The American Red Cross is currently experiencing blood shortages at both the local and the national level.
The winter holiday period and early January are traditionally difficult times to collect blood, and this year is
proving no different. Currently there is less then a half day supply of universal donor type O-negative blood,
which is frequently used in trauma and emergency situations when there is no time to type the patient’s
blood. Other blood types urgently needed are all Rh negative types and O Positive.
Because blood has a 42-day shelf life, it is important to keep a continual blood supply on hand. The need for
blood not only arises after a catastrophe, but is constantly needed for surgeries and accident victims, as well
as for cancer patients and those undergoing surgical procedures. Every two seconds someone in America
needs a blood transfusion, while less than 5 percent of the eligible population actually donates blood.
“The American Red Cross is grateful for this legislation and hopes it will encourage people to take the time
to donate blood to give the gift of life to patients in need,” said Jack Prause, CEO of the Illinois based
American Red Cross Blood Services. “Hopefully this bill will help ensure that an adequate and safe blood
supply is always available for those who need it. Every blood donation can help save the lives of up to three
people, so every donation can make a tremendous difference.”
Together, we can save a life.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian, nonprofit organization founded in 1881, whose Blood Services division provides
approximately half the nation’s blood supply. The Red Cross relies on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to maintain a safe
and adequate blood supply all year long. To find out more information about donating blood or to make a blood donation
appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
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