Rare blood donations needed for seriously ill ex-official

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Family and friends of former Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Tom Bennett are pleading for plasma from male donors with AB positive or AB negative blood to treat a rare blood disorder.

Bennett, a Shelbyville resident, is currently in critical condition at the Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. He is on a respirator in a medically induced coma and undergoing plasma replacement therapy daily.

Bennett returned from a Colorado trip last week. "He's still in critical care," said Tommie Bennett, Tom Bennett's mother.

"We do not know the origin of where this came from or whether it is Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. We do know that he has a blood disorder."

Only males with AB negative or AB positive blood, the most rare blood type, can help Bennett.
Eligible donors are being asked to give plasma to the Chestnut Street Red Cross in Louisville or the
Central Kentucky Blood Center at Beaumont Centre in Lexington.

The two blood donation facilities are described as the only ones nearby with the proper blood-separation technology accepted by physicians.

Donors are asked to specify the donation is for Clyde Thomas Bennett.

Only 1 percent of the population have Bennett's AB negative blood type, according to the American Red Cross.

Bennett, who served as the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner from 1993 to 2005, has been diagnosed with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a condition in which clots form when blood
cells called platelets clump. He must receive two treatments a day to replace the platelets in his blood.

"He has to have platelets everyday until he can start building his own," Tommie Bennett said.

According to the Red Cross Web site, plasma, which contains platelets, is easily replenished by the body and can be donated as frequently as every 48 hours but no more than 12 times a year.

Sarah Liebman, a friend of the family, said the Red Cross is accepting plasma donations until 7 p.m. daily this week. Donors can call 1-800-732-8772 to speak with a Red Cross representative about donation.

Liebman said out-of-state donors must get their donations approved before they will be accepted.

"It's going to be shipped here only in his name," she said. "The doctor here has to fax them a note saying they will accept it."

Liebman said out-of-state donors could e-mail the fax number of their donation site to her at shaddey@aol.com for approval.

Tommie Bennett describer her oldest son as a "happy 56-year-old" who "had always taken care of himself physically."

She said Bennett checked into the hospital last week after returning from Colorado Springs where he was serving as an officer for the National Archery in the Schools Program.

"He has a long way to go," Tommie Bennet said of her son's recovery.