American Red Cross Launches Double Red Cell Collection Program to Increase Blood Supply.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

BRAINTREE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4, 2002

Center is Among the First Red Cross Regions in National Deployment of Technology for Maximizing Blood Donations 

The Heart of America Region of the American Red Cross today announced that many blood donors can now double their life-saving gift of blood by donating on automated technology that allows them to give two transfusable units of red blood cells in one donation. Adoption of this technology, developed by Haemonetics Corporation (NYSE: HAE), is a strategic component of the Red Cross' efforts to increase the blood supply and to alleviate chronic shortages. The Heart of America Region is one of the first in the Red Cross to participate in a national rollout of this technology.

"Through our adoption of the double red cell collection device, we are leveraging technology to ensure an adequate blood supply. For instance, type O red cells are 'universal' in that they can be transfused to any patient. This is the type always in demand," said Don Webb, Chief Executive Officer. "If we can get two transfusable units of type O red cells from one donor, we can have a significant impact on the blood supply and ensure that the right blood product is always in supply."

"The automated donation process is comfortable, using a smaller needle and replenishing the fluid lost during donation with saline. Many donors ask to use the technology because it allows them to double their life-saving gift," Mr. Webb continued.

The average Red Cross donor gives blood 1.6 times per year. The blood supply is at the lowest level in years, and there is a shrinking pool of eligible donors due to an aging population and new donor restrictions. There is an acute need to address shortfalls in the blood supply.

Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component, with approximately 14 million units transfused each year in the United States alone. The Red Cross collects nearly 7 million units of red cells annually. The Red Cross estimates that 50% of whole blood donors will qualify for double red cell donations. Of these donors, approximately 58% are type O or B, the donor blood types targeted by the Red Cross for double red cell donations.

The Heart of America region is implementing Haemonetics' double red cell collection technology as a strategic tool to maximize donations and to increase the blood supply. This rollout is part of a national initiative by the Red Cross to address the need for red cells from those with type O or B blood.

Any whole blood donor can be an automated double red cell donor if they meet the criteria, and any eligible blood donor can donate platelets, plasma or red cells on automated technology. There is an ongoing need for all blood components of varying blood types. The Red Cross tailors the donation type according to the donor's size and blood type.

Blood donors are asked to call [phone] or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to make an appointment to donate blood.

GUIDELINES FOR DOUBLE RED CELL DONATIONS

Double red cell donors must satisfy specific height and weight requirements: males must be 5'1" or taller and 150 pounds or more and female donors must be 5'5" or taller and 175 pounds or more. All double red cell donors must have an iron level of 40%. Please contact the blood center for more information. Double red cell donors may donate every 112 days.

ABOUT THE HAEMONETICS MCS(R)+ DOUBLE RED CELL COLLECTION SYSTEM

The Haemonetics MCS+ system automates traditional whole blood collection methods to simultaneously collect blood components from blood donors and return the unused blood components to the donor. This unique collection process allows many donors to safely donate twice the number of red cells than are donated by traditional, manual techniques which collect a pint of whole blood from a donor, netting one transfusable unit of red blood cells. Blood banks benefit from the system as it doubles the number of red blood cells collected per donor and is adaptable to the mobile collection environment. Donors benefit from the convenience of the procedure that enables them to provide more blood for patients at each visit. Donors also find the smaller needle and saline volume replacement make the donation very comfortable.

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on a budget of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. In 2001, the Red Cross also trained almost 12 million people in vital lifesaving skills, provided direct health services to nearly 2.6 million people and delivered more than 21 million locally relevant community services. The organization also assisted international disaster and conflict victims in close to 40 locations around the globe, and its emergency communication centers processed 1.2 million calls in support of U.S. military families.

Haemonetics Corporation

Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) is a global company engaged in the design, manufacture and worldwide marketing of automated blood processing systems. These systems address important medical markets: surgical blood salvage, blood component collections and plasma collections. To learn more about Haemonetics' products and markets, visit the Company's web site at http://www.haemonetics.com.