Because I have frequent flyer cards in both the stem cell collection and transfusion rooms and a pre-diagnosis career in the energy efficiency industry, I'm tickled pink by this announcement.
I just wonder if patients will still have to ask for a blood warmer when harvesting stem cells.
Here's the complete story from today's Pasadena Star News:
City of Hope begins work on new transfusion center
DUARTE - City of Hope officials will break ground today on the new Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center. The new facility will also house the CoH's stem cell collection unit and the National Marrow Donor Program.
The new 60,000-square-foot facility will allow City of Hope to expand its blood collection, analysis, processing and transfusion programs to meet increasing patient and donor volume, officials said.
It is also the institution's first green-certified building.
City of Hope President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Friedman and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Alexandra Levine were expected to don hardhats and shovels for the ground-breaking ceremony, alongside Michael Amini, chairman and chief executive officer of AICO, Amini Innovation Corp.
Amini, a longtime supporter of City of Hope, contributed $6 million to fund the construction of the facility. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation gave a $2 million matching grant.
"I learned of City of Hope through a close business colleague, and after attending several fundraising events, getting to know individuals treated at City of Hope, and touring the facility, I realized that this was a place truly worthy of my strongest support," said Amini. "It is my hope that this building will support City of Hope's treatment and research for decades to come."
The Amini Center will house all components of the Department of Transfusion Medicine, consolidating City of Hope's blood collection and processing programs and providing a modern, comfortable environment for patients, donors and staff, officials said.
The new facility will enable City of Hope to expand transfusion services for transplant, oncology and surgery patients, participate in leading-edge cellular therapy research, and meet new and future government-mandated processing requirements for blood and stem cells and accommodate further expansion.
The facility's second floor will house the Blood Donor Center, the Stem Cell Collection Unit for patients, the National Marrow Donor Program and blood recruitment offices, and physicians' offices. It will also feature space for private consultation, state-of-the-art blood and platelet collection, treatment services for transplant patients, and a specially designed area for pediatric services.
The Amini Center's third floor will be used to expand operations and meet the department's future needs.
"Transfusion medicine plays an increasingly prominent role in modern medical care," said Friedman. "Without life-sustaining transfusion support, many complex treatments and surgical procedures would not be possible."
Certified by the United States Building Council, the Amini Center's design meets the rigorous standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, officials said.
The building maximizes energy resources while integrating eco-friendly innovations and technologies, including a cool roof to reduce energy demand and energy-efficient HV/AC equipment. Recycled content products such as insulation, steel and ceramic tile flooring will be used for the building's construction.
3 comments:
I found your blog when doing some net research on patients who request blood and iv warmers. We make a blood warmer called the Thermal Angel, and have found that patients are starting to request it, so it was interesting to see your post. ;-)
Keep up the good work on the blog. I enjoy it!
Sincerely,
Jay Lopez
Chief Operating Officer
Estill Medical Technologies, Inc.
www.thermalangel.com
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