142: Who Chooses the Blood You Get? | Liz James | The Feds

 1 in 70 Americans will need a blood transfusion this year. Almost none of them know they most likely can't choose the donor.In this episode, Stephanie Weidle speaks withLiz James, a pharmacist of over thirty years and founder of Blessed by His Blood, a member-owned cooperative that matches direct blood donations to patients who want to choose whose blood they receive.The conversation explores how three separate parties — your doctor, your hospital, and the blood bank holding their contract — each have to say yes before you can receive a directed donation, and how any one of them can quietly say no. If three people have to approve before you can choose your own donor, who is the system actually built for?We discuss: 👉 Why doctors often don’t know how to write the order 👉 What happens to blood after you give it away for free 👉 Why only 3% of Americans donate, and the number is falling 👉 The Texas bill that died twice one step from the finish line Chapters:01:29 — How Direct Donation Works, and Who's Blocking It07:18 — Why People Ask for Direct Donor Blood11:05 — Screening Questions and Shelf Life14:48 — Only 3% Donate: The Supply Problem17:01 — The $32 Billion Blood Industry23:51 — Bodily Autonomy and Informed Consent26:38 — Liz's Story: Leaving Pharmacy, Founding BBHBLearn more or become a member:https://www.blessedbyhisblood.comFollow Blessed by His Blood: X,Facebook——🎧 Listen to The Feds onSubstack & all other platforms: https://taplink.cc/fedsforfreedom🇺🇸 Visit our Website: FedsForFreedom.org 🏃 Follow us on Instagram /X /Facebook:  @feds4freedomusa