BLOOD BANK

Blood Bank. In October, 1949 Mother Mary Ursula, the Mother Superior and superintendent of Mercy Hospital announced the establishment of Dubuque's first blood bank. The announcement stated that the "bank" would soon be functioning with approximately fifty "flasks", each holding a pint of human blood. Volunteer donors came from the JOHN DEERE DUBUQUE WORKS with 1,213 members' blood types recorded for future blood needs.

A "reorganized" blood bank began a drive for donations on February 6, 1950. Included on the board of trustees were Richard Hasselquist, Dr. Paul Skelly and Dr. Edwin Thorsness representing the County Medical Society, Sister M. Marcellus and Sister M. Rita Mary from XAVIER HOSPITAL, Sister M. Charles and Sister M. Paula of MERCY HOSPITAL, Emil Hansen and Harvey M. LANGE of FINLEY HOSPITAL (THE), Andrew FROMMELT of the DUBUQUE TRADES AND LABOR CONGRESS, Vincent Engler of the CIO Council, and Merwin Gibson with Richard Hasselquist who were members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce representing management. (1)

Three types of policies were offered. The Industrial Group Policy was a group policy that covered a person and his family with a two percent return from the membership. The Individual Policy was for a single person or whomever was designated. The policy operated on a one unit return for each unit received. The Prenatal Policy allowed the husband to donate a unit of blood and receive credit allowing his wife as many units of blood as needed during the pregnancy. Regardless of the type of blood donated, a unit could be received. (2)

By 1954 there were 7,000 blood-typed members. These people furnished the initial supply of all types of blood for the bank which was operated by maintaining a constant balance between withdrawals and deposits.

Blood obtained from the bank for patients had to be repaid with blood and could not be purchased directly from the bank for cash. The blood for replacement had to be obtained from either a family donor or from a professional donor paid by the patient as soon as any blood was withdrawn. Arrangements were made to develop sources of blood to make up withdrawals when blood was out of date or when a recipient had neither family or friends to serve as donors. While the supply was mainly for Dubuque purposes, there was a collaboration with out-of-town hospitals. If donors themselves or their relatives became patients in other cities, blood would be shipped there. The donor paid only a small service and hospital administration charge and not the additional $25 per pint used.

By 1991 Dubuque was part of the Red Cross Badger Regional Blood Service. Starting on October 30, 1991 centers like Dubuque's were notified when they would be temporarily closed while staff was trained in the new standardized computer system and blood testing procedures. Hospitals needing blood continued to receive all they needed from other regions. Once the staff was trained and the center reopened, additional days might be added to increase collections to supply other centers in the region also temporarily closed. (3)

Myths about the spread of AIDS, reduced company employment, and a more strict donation process caused a decrease in donations in 1994 with only half to two-thirds of the goal being met. (4)

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Source:

1. "Drive Started by Blood Bank," Telegraph Herald, February 6, 1950, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=aEyKTaVlRPYC&dat=19500206&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

2. Ibid.

3. Hanson, Lyn. "Red Cross Blood Bank to Stop Taking Deposits for a Short Time," Telegraph Herald, May 20, 1991, p. 3A

4. "Blood Crisis Fears," Telegraph Herald, October 11, 1994, p. 1