Bad Blood: Crisis in the American Red Cross [Hardcover]

Judith Reitman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1996

An investigative reporter presents a shocking expose+a7 of the American Red Cross and the gross mismanagement and neglect that exposed millions of people to a blood supply contaminated by HIV, hepatitis, and other infectious and deadly diseases and the cover-up that followed. 250,000 first printing. $250,000 ad/promo.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 289 pages
• Publisher: Kensington; First Edition edition (November 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575661152
• ISBN-13: 978-1575661155
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,576,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write because I believe that through my work I can best express the need for institutional accountability. This is reflected in Stolen for Profit which changed laws and in Bad Blood which is used as a text at many journalism schools and as a reference for lawyers suing Red Cross on behalf of bad blood victims. I've taken a break with travel writing while living in Europe and am working on my first novel which takes place in France. I would say that one of the most significant experiences in my life was founding The North Carolina Women's Prison Writing and Performance Project. Working creatively with the remarkable participants was revelatory and gave me the courage to find my own voice in fiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Informative, but suspiciosly weighted politically, July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bad Blood: Crisis in the American Red Cross (Paperback)

The blood crisis information is informative and useful, yet no President of the American Red Cross is evaluated extensively with exception of Elizabeth Dole, whose tenure began after the major problems were full-blown. About 75% of the impact is against Mrs. Dole, her motivations, style and political aims, thereby raising questions about the true objective of the book. Also, one would expect that the name of the founder of the International Red Cross, Henri Dunant, would not be given incorrectly as "Henry Dumond." This is comparable to calling George Washington "George Wallington," and makes one wonder about other possible , and more serious, inaccuracies not so easily detected by the reader.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bad Blood, Good book, November 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bad Blood: Crisis in the American Red Cross (Paperback)

At this point when we are looking to a new century, isn't it time to dispense with illusions? This book asks us to set aside our need to glorify an institution, to really evaluate it in terms of its actions, and to make our own judgement call.Based on the facts not on the myths. It is a courageous thing to ask us to do.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good lesson for us all., December 19, 2000

By 

"bajgd" (Tellico Plains, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bad Blood: Crisis in the American Red Cross (Paperback)

Ms. Reitman should be commended for her courage in bringing to light an unforgiveable human tragedy. In other countries those in charge of the Red Cross blood program would have been jailed for their callous disregard of human life. With warnings and red flags galore, instead of admitting there was a terrible problem with the blood supply, the Red Cross blood program officials calculatedly chose to proceed with the status quo. Their actions cost the lives of the very people whom the Red Cross was established to help.

The results of their actions are ongoing and still affect the lives of people who trusted them. The FDA has been attempting for years to force the Red Cross blood program into compliance with safe blood practices and yet, with coffers overflowing, the Red Cross is claiming any penalties will jeopardize their very existence. How can they, in good conscience and with mounting evidence against them, still refuse to accept responsibility for the tragedy they knowingly caused.

This book is a good lesson for us all. Trusting an organization based solely on reputation and its self promotion opens the door to abuse.

My heartfelt sympathies go out to all the victims of the Red Cross blood program's deceit....the victims....those who received the tainted blood products as well as to those in the medical field who were unknowingly made accomplices as they transfused and administered those blood products in an attempt to save lives. How awful they must now feel.