Cover LTR 1

June __, 2007

<SamplingID>

<Company Name>

<FirstName> <LastName> <Credentials>

<Address1>

<Address2>

<City>, <State> <Zip>

Dear <Salute>:

In response to a continuing need for quantitative data regarding the nation’s blood supply, the National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey (NBCUS) is being conducted for the fifth time. This important survey is being sent to every blood collection center and nearly 3,000 hospitals in the United States. The information collected will be used to characterize the nation’s supply of and demand for blood and blood components, and to describe current practices in blood collection and transfusion. Please assist us by completing the enclosed questionnaire.

This year, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has agreed to fund the survey. The identifiable institutional data provided in response to this survey will not be released. As has been the case with previous NBCUS surveys, de-identified data from this survey will be used by researchers throughout the blood community. Results of this survey will only be released in aggregate form. No facilities will be identified directly or indirectly. The reports will be in the public domain, accessible to the public.

It is critical that the data submitted for the current NBCUS survey cover the period from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006. Please do not provide data for calendar year 2005 or 2007, as these data will adversely affect the accuracy of the analysis of trends over time. If you must report fiscal year data for 2006-2007, please do not report any data collected after June 30, 2007.

The survey consists of seven sections, labeled A-G. Sections A, D, and E should be completed by all institutions. Section B should be completed if your institution collects

any blood, and Section C should be completed if your institution transfuses any blood. Section F should be completed by any facility that collects, processes, or infuses cells for therapeutic purposes. Section G should be completed by any facility that maintains an inventory of or uses human tissue for transplantation.

If you do not have all of the information requested by the survey, please forward the questionnaire and cover letter to others in your institution who can provide the needed information. Please do not leave any items blank unless instructed to skip them. Please use “0” or “NA” (not applicable), as appropriate.

Please complete the questionnaire by August 31, 2007 and return it to AABB in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

If you have any questions or comments, we invite you to call the toll-free Helpline at 1-800-793-9376. We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this important effort.

Sincerely,

Karen Shoos Lipton, JD

Chief Executive Officer

AABB

and

Admiral John O. Agwunobi, MD, MBA, MPH

Assistant Secretary of Health

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services