Red Cross’ Problems Shouldn’t Deter Donors

My daughter is a registered nurse with the biomedical services branch of the American Red Cross. I am concerned that the public does not understand the difference between the two branches of the Red Cross.

The biomedical services branch collects blood for lifesaving transfusions; the chapter services branch collects monetary donations for disaster relief and other humanitarian services. Although we agree that chapter services needs restructuring, the negative publicity has caused a significant decrease in blood donations.

Professionals like my daughter, who could be earning a much larger salary elsewhere, are working hard to help donors give the gift of life. But the misdirected anger of the public has a dual negative impact: Blood donors stay home, and patients suffer.

Bettye Howard

Carlsbad