The CAP, along with 16 other hospital, medical and laboratory groups, has joined the Alliance for a Strong Blood Supply, which is a coalition of organizations committed to ensuring sufficient blood is available for all patients during the pandemic and beyond. The Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB) recently launched the Alliance to better address current challenges with the nation’s blood supply. The CAP advocates for a safe blood supply for patients and communities across the United States.

The initial 17 organizations comprising the Alliance collectively represent the nation’s hospitals and blood collectors, as well as more than 200,000 physicians who routinely provide blood to patients in need. Alliance members have pledged to facilitate communications on the state of the blood supply and to work together on coordinated advocacy and communications campaigns to champion the importance of blood donation, the value of blood transfusions and why a robust blood supply is critical to patient care. Member organizations have also committed to sharing best practices aimed at supporting the stewardship of the blood supply.

Regions throughout the United States are currently facing significant blood supply challenges, with many blood collectors operating with less than a one-day supply on hand, which is below the ideal goal of at least a three-day supply. As a result, hospitals have been forced to delay life-saving blood transfusions and postpone nonessential surgeries.

The initial members of the Alliance are: AABB, Alliance for Community Transfusion Services, America’s Blood Centers, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Hospital Association, American Red Cross, American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, American Society of Anesthesiologists, American Society of Clinical Pathologists, American Society of Hematology, Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals, Blood Centers of America, College of American Pathologists, Federation of American Hospitals, and Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management.