Why does the American Red Cross, a not-for-profit organization, charge processing fees for tissue transplants?
To recover costs of the procurement process, including testing, processing, operational expenses, education outreach efforts, personnel training, etc., the Red Cross charges a processing fee. It does not make a profit on the tissue it procures, operating only on a cost-recovery basis. This year, the Red Cross was unable to recover all of the costs incurred by providing Tissue Services. However, as part of our commitment to providing this life enhancing and lifesaving service, the organization invested an additional $10 million into the Tissue Services program.
