Texas Hunting Forum: urgent call for type AB blood donors

This is an urgent call for type AB blood donors for a true friend of bowhunters and the archery enthusiasts. Tom Bennett, who helped launch the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), is in critical condition and in desperate need of type AB + or - blood. Tom is Director of Gov't Relations for the NASP program and is helping grow the NASP program nationwide. Barely a week ago we were meeting at the National Shooting Sports Summit, and today he's in a Louisville, KY hospital in a medically induced coma awaiting the twice daily plasma treatments.

The rare blood disorder is called TTP (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura). Tom's blood type is AB negative and he must have two blood plasma treatments daily. The call is out for EITHER AB positive or AB negative blood.

Tom is in ICU at:
Baptist East Hospital
Coronary Care Unit
4002 Kresge Way
St. Matthews, KY 40207
502-897-8100

Specific instructions for blood donors:

1. Must be AB pos or neg.
2. Must be MALE donors.
3. Must be age 17 or older and more than 110lbs.
4. Cannot have taken aspirin or an aspirin containing meds (Excedrin) within 48 hrs. of donating.
5. Cannot have taken any antibiotics within 24 hours of donating.
6. Must have the Red Cross in your local area collect the plasma.
7. Plasma can be shipped from other locations. Fax number of the collection facility is needed to send authorization so the donation can be directed to Tom's need.
8. Anyone willing to donate blood should call Nancy McIver, Kentucky Dept of Fish & Wildlife Resources at 502-564-3400 x. 4555 or Sharon Sparrow at 502-564-3400 with the fax number. They will fax the necessary paperwork.
9. Once the facility has the paperwork, they will schedule plasma withdrawal from the donor.

Please keep Tom and his family in your prayers AND please share this with anyone who may donate AB blood.