On Tuesday, February 3, Chelsea Tibbetts, Vice President, Divisional Blood Operations, CBC, and Chelsey Smith, Senior Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, traveled to Jefferson City to provide testimony before the Missouri Senate Progress and Development Committee in support of Missouri Senate Bill 1328. The bill, championed by Missouri State Senator Patty Lewis (Dist. 7), would establish January as “Blood Donor Awareness Month” in the state of Missouri. Senator Lewis spoke from her former experience as an ICU nurse, touching on the importance of blood transfusions for patients in the most critical circumstances. Chelsea and Chelsey both spoke on behalf of CBC, emphasizing the critical role blood donation plays in sustaining Missouri’s healthcare system and the importance of support from elected officials in helping raise awareness and encourage blood donation statewide.
During the hearing, the committee also heard testimony from multiple healthcare perspectives, including blood donor testimony and remarks from University Health representatives, who reinforced the importance of blood donors in caring for patients at their Level I trauma center in Kansas City. Sickle cell warrior Kevin Wake also provided written testimony, sharing the patient perspective and further underscoring the impact of blood donation.
CBC is hopeful that Missouri Senate Bill 1328 will pass, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Chelsea and Chelsey for their advocacy and commitment to raising awareness about the vital importance of blood donation.