Letter to the editor: Blood donors should be paid

Regarding the article “ ‘Severe’ blood shortage prompts donation centers to make a call to arms”: I have a novel idea to remedy this situation. Monetarily compensate blood donors for the fair value of their lifesaving product. Let the market determine what the price of a pint of blood or plasma should be.

Blood donors have been taken advantage of for decades under the guise of “civic obligation” when, at the same time, the medical industry has profited handsomely from their good will. It is reported that the CEO of Vitalant is paid nearly $700,000 annually, while salaries of other Vitalant executives range from $420,000 to $480,000. UPMC had 2020 earnings of $20 billion with a profit of $1 billion. Average surgeon salaries nationwide are around $400,000.

Blood donations are expected to be free, yet is the medical industry inclined to make health care affordable as a civic obligation? Look at your medical insurance premiums for the answer.

Similar to college athletes who were essentially unpaid for years while the NCAA profited enormously, it is now time to make it an industry practice to fairly compensate people who provide blood.

James Zemyan

Jeannette