It's been almost two weeks since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Like many of you, I have yet to fully comprehend the meaning of all that occurred. In going about routine tasks each day, the people I come in contact with are subdued and reflective, even somewhat distracted.

They work purposefully, but at a measured pace. Ebullience is lacking. People we know and celebrate for being enthusiastic and energetic have chosen to lower their public display and show another, more meditative side of their personality.

The metaphor which comes to mind involves our children. We all recognize when they commit some act which is clearly so outrageous that, once committed, they instantly recognize they have "crossed the line" and thus are fully deserving of the punishment or consequences which must follow. I believe, across the world, both god-fearing people and terrorists alike recognize the heinous crimes committed on September 11 did "cross the line." Those events are forcing all moral people to act in concert and accept the cost in human blood that will be required to bring the worldwide movement of terror under control.

I believe we are about to enter a new historical cycle. If the battle against communism and tyrants dominated the world for 40 years, the new conflict will be among those who support the rule of law and self-determination versus individuals willing to kill and destroy as the method to their ends. This new historical cycle will place us all on the front lines of terrorism. As attacks upon New York City and Washington, DC so graphically demonstrate, our free and open society cannot protect 100% of us from terrorism all the time and still maintain the rights and freedoms that make the Unites States the place where so many people want to come and be free to pursue their dreams.

So if it is now true that we are all manning the front lines in the battle against terrorism, then the laboratory industry will be called upon to support healthcare and society in new ways. Certainly, this includes a heightened awareness of how biological and chemical agents might be used against our citizenry, along with the capability to detect them swiftly and help deal with the after-effects of such an unthinkable terrorist act. I wish all of you well in leading your laboratory teams through the eventful and perilous times toward which our society is heading.

Terrorist Attacks Affect Many of Nation's Labs

Shutdown of nation's air transport system disrupts daily transport of lab specimens

CEO Summary:  Following terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, DC, the total shutdown of commercial air traffic in the United States for 48 hours disrupted the regular shipment of reference and esoteric lab specimens to national laboratories. Swiftly-implemented contingency efforts by all labs resolved many of the problems and there in no evidence that patient care was adversely impacted.

In the Aftermath of Terror: Labs Deal With New Issues

Performance under adversity demonstrates the capability and strength of the lab industry

Blood Bankers in USA Swamped by Public Help

Labs in New York deluged with volunteers eager to donate blood in response to the tragedy

CEO Summary: Even as news of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the subsequent collapse of the buildings was captured on national television, people began arriving at blood collection sites to donate blood. It was a growing tidal wave of volunteer blood donors, as their numbers continued swelling throughout the day and into the remainder of the week, creating a "positive stress" on the blood banking system.

Deluge of Blood Donors Triggers Response by OCD

Unprecedented numbers of donors almost outstrip inventories of supplies and tests

CEO Summary: It's the story behind the story. Even as overwhelming numbers of people nationwide rushed to donate blood following September 11's terrorist attacks, blood bankers in many cities found themselves rapidly depleting their existing inventories of supplies and test kits. One of the nation's leading suppliers of blood banking products recognized the challenge and went into overdrive.

LabCorp to Help Collect Family DNA Specimens

Expertise in identification testing gives lab a unique role in NYC disaster

CEO Summary: DNA testing will be a primary tool in identifying victims of this major disaster. Officials in New York City are formulating a plan whereby private labs will do DNA testing in conjunction with New York State Police laboratories. Laboratory Corporation of America has been designated as a public collection site where victim's family members can go to provide DNA samples to help in the identification process.

Events Trigger Several Responses from Quest

Contingency planning helps lab company cope with problems from terrorist attacks

CEO Summary: Terrorist attacks on September 11 impacted Quest Diagnostics Incorporated in a number of unexpected ways. Security measures in New York City and Washington, DC impeded normal courier activities. The immediate shutdown of all air traffic nationwide meant that air-freighted specimen shipments needed to be located, recovered, stabilized and moved forward to an appropriate lab for testing.

Intelligence: Late-Breaking Lab News

BIO-Reference's CEO Provides Medical Care to NY Firemen :  There is a lab executive who personally knows many of the firefighters lost in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Eyewitness View of Events as They Occurred: One laboratory executive found himself watching the attack on the World Trade Center Towers and their subsequent collapse.

Request a copy