ROBERT STOUT, CHAIRMAN
9444 Harbour Point Drive, Apt. #124
Elk Grove, CA 95758-3731
(916) 684-9105 -- FAX (916) 691-5309

     The State Blood Assistance Program insures all Post/Auxiliary members and all the members of their immediate household (depending on your support for livelihood) (parents must be living inyour home to qualify) for up to ten (10) pints of blood that was used due to illness or accident, not covered by any other health, accident or blood replacement insurance, where blood was used. This program should not be considered an insurance carrier or company.

     We have now modified our Blood Assistance Program to coincide with these new policies to ensure that we can maintain a Blood Program within the Department of California VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary.

     The primary purpose of our program is to make certain that members of our Program will still be able to obtain reimbursement for blood costs that are not covered by any private insurance carrier.

     Date of enrollment will be as follows: Opening date is July 1 and closing date will be October 31 of each year. New Posts and Auxiliaries will automatically be enrolled in the State Blood Bank Program for the remainder of the current fiscal year at no cost.

     To enroll, a Post must submit one (1) pint of blood and $10.00 within the dates specified above with a completed Blood Assistance Post/Auxiliary Application for Membership (CAVFW FORM - 01) which can be found in the back of this book. Posts with an Auxiliary will submit two (2) pints of blood and $20.00 to become enrolled.

     We are aware that many Posts and Auxiliaries have difficulty in finding donors. Donors do not have to be members of the VFW or Auxiliary. Also, those Posts that are fortunate enough to have multiple donors are encouraged to share with other Posts by forwarding extra donor slips to your District Chairman.

     The Blood Assistance Program is limited to members of good standing in the Post and Auxiliary and their immediate family members residing in the VFW or Auxiliary member's home. A member or dependent is entitled to receive a total of ten (10) pints of blood in each fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). There will be no benefit for any member who joins the VFW or Auxiliary for the purpose of placing a burden on the VFW or has a pre-existing hemophilia condition.

     The Community Blood Banks can continue to provide services only if the blood supply remains high. Posts and Auxiliaries are encouraged to hold blood drives within your communities. They are not difficult to plan and you will find that the Community Blood Banks in your area are more than willing to offer you assistance.

BLOOD REPLACEMENT GENERAL INFORMATION

     The State Blood Assistance Program will not make any cash refunds or reimbursements for blood paid by members submitting the claim, or blood paid for by other means or blood used outside the continental limits of the United States.

     All questions on request forms must be fully completed. All information required is to be furnished or the request will be returned to the sender for compliance. A final hospital or blood bank bill or statement, or copy of same, showing the amount of blood used, not covered by other insurance or paid for by other means MUST accompany the request. A letter from the insurance carrier must also be submitted to show that insurance does not cover the blood replacement. All requests must be signed by the Post Commander or Quartermaster, or Auxiliary President or Treasurer, whichever applies, confirming year and date dues were paid by person for which blood replacement is being requested. There is limit of ten (10) pints per year to any recipient. This includes the payment of processing fee (1 for 1, 2 for 1 or 3 for 1) of blood used.

     Blood replacements will not be used for paying bills (any type) except where blood is used, i.e. - shots for blood disorder.

PROCESSING FEES

     Processing fees will be paid in cash when the blood bank or hospital issuing the blood will not accept blood as a replacement. Processing fees must be shown on the hospital bill or blood bank bill as such and will show if blood replacement is 1 for 1, 2 for 1, or 3 for 1, payments to hospitalor blood bank only. VFW will only pay the processing fee to a maximum of ten (10) pints ofblood.

FORMS

     When receipt, with blood donation of one (1) pint or $100.00, if paying instead of blood donation is received, replacement forms will be mailed to each Post/Auxiliary from the State Chairman only when needed.

     Send all blood donor slips to the State Chairman after Post Quartermaster or Auxiliary Treasurer has noted donations. Do not send to the District Blood Assistance Chairman.

CLAIMS

     No claims over six- months old will be acted upon.

     District Chairmen will promote the Program to all Posts/Auxiliaries. They will not issue blood for claims. All claims will be processed and the State Chairman or Area Chairmen will handle Blood Replacement only.

REPORTING

     Reporting in the Blood Assistance program will give you credit under Community Services. In order to receive credit at the Department level, a Post needs to report at least once on the Program Reporting Form (CAVFW FORM-12)

     To be eligible for Department Awards you must also report at least twice using the Award Recognition Report (CAVFW FORM-11)

Note: All Reports should be submitted to Department Headquarters.

POST AWARDS

     Any Post or Auxiliary donating 50, 75, 100 or more pints of blood during the VFW Blood Assistance year will be awarded a plaque to be presented at the State Convention.

     Note: Donations used to put another Post/Auxiliary in the Program will not be counted for the donating members’ Post/ Auxiliary. This would give them a double figure of actual blood donated.

DISTRICT AWARDS

     1st in each membership division will be awarded a Plaque.
     2nd and 3rd in each membership division will be award a distinctive citation.

SPECIAL AWARDS

     Citations and Pins will be awarded to all persons who donate four (4) or more pints of blood during the period July 1, 2001 through March 31, 2002.

     A plaque will be given to recognize donors at five (5) gallon increments.

     Recognition will be awarded to persons who promote and help the program in any way or form.

     It is the responsibility of the Post or Auxiliary Blood Assistance Chairman to see that a record is maintained of all donors for each year and that a letter is sent to Department Headquarters no later than May 1, 2002 for such citations as may be needed. A letter to the State Blood Assistance Program Chairman for recognition of accomplishment for persons promoting the Program will suffice.