1,400 who gave blood seen at risk of ID theft

Boston Globe ^ | May 10, 2003 | AP

[wideminded]

I doubt there is any other entity collecting blood in the United States. Unless there is a drive for a specific person at a particular hospital, I believe the Red Cross is alone in the blood collection business.

Around Seattle all the blood donations seem to be handled by Puget Sound Blood Center. As far as I know they have no connection with the Red Cross.

[knuthom]

I doubt there is any other entity collecting blood in the United States.

The hospitals here in the Ozarks (SW Missouri) didn't like the way the Red Cross was handling blood distribution, so they started their own collection center: Community Blood Center of the Ozarks. All the local hospitals use it.

[Concentrate]

They always show you the new needle as they open it out of the bag. Or do they?

[Concentrate]

I refused to give my SS# to my childrens' pediatric's receptionist. They were going to refuse to treat my daughter, so I made up a number and filled out the form.

Upon return for a second visit, the receptionist confronted me about the #. I said I made it up. She said, "You HAVE to give us your SS#!" I said that I DIDN'T have to. She made some phone calls and then left me alone.

The medical profession has become the right arm of the "NAZI" party in this country.

BTW, be careful not to mistrust these people. They write everything down in their reports, which follow your Social Security Number.

It probably never occurred to the stupid b#%ch that the # was right there, following the first three letters of my insurance card account number, but that's what she probably learned from here relevant phone calls.

I'd like to ask them how they found out that it was a fictitious number in the first place!

[muggs]

In the Cincinnati, Ohio area it is not the Red Cross that collects. It's an organization called Hoxworth. I try to donate every 8 weeks since I learned that my blood has some kind of rare factor and they often use it for premature babies.

[muggs]

I don't care much for the Red Cross but I'm sure they always use a new needle for each collection.

[TC Rider]

Please Keep Giving

Sorry to all, but I'm a supporter and will continue to be a donor.

It's important, and especially so since 9/11, to keep the blood banks full. If the bastards ever manage to pull off another 9/11 there is the potential that this time there may be more injuries than deaths. In this case, every drop is vital.

I am not defending any of the stupid things they have done. They do have problems and hopefully someone is working to solve them, in the mean time, they are the only game in town.

I give every 8 weeks and will continue to do so. I do bitch about the use of SSNs and wish I had never given mine. They promised that the would quit using them at my last donation.

[On the Road to Serfdom]

It seems logical that working for the Red Cross would be a good job for a drug addict looking to steal needles. Given that, reusing the same needles several times (maybe replacing the seals on a bunch when out of view) would be logical way for an employee to be able to pocket some unused needles for himself without it showing up in inventory checks.

This may be far fetched but if they are stealing social security numbers what else are they doing? I would not put my life in thier hands.

[Toddsterpatriot]

In Chicago, Life Source is another place to donate.

[OldFriend]

Thanks to everyone who listed non Red Cross sources for donating blood in their area.

I hope that folks in those areas will take the time to donate. It's safe and saves lives.

[muggs]

I don't donate at a Red Cross facility so things may be different. Where I donate, the needle, tubing and collection bag come in a sealed package from the pharmaceutical manufacturer and they always open the package right in front of me. It is a very professional organization and I have no worries about donating there.

The needle used to collect a unit of blood is a very large gauge needle, probably inappropriate for injecting drugs.

[muggs]

I hope that folks in those areas will take the time to donate. It's safe and saves lives.

I hope everyone will ask about becoming a blood marrow donor the next time they donate also.

[OldFriend]

LOLOL you WOULD mention the 'LARGE' guage needle!!!!

Been donating for a long time and only rarely find someone who can't find the right spot.......but it is painless, and always a new package is opened and then discarded ......