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GIVE BLOOD: Red Cross supplies dwindle
Winter colds and flu have kept blood donors at home in recent weeks, and inventories in the Northwest are down to one day’s supply — or less — for some rare blood types.
As of Thursday, there were only 68 units of A-negative blood available for some 80 hospitals in Oregon, Washington and southeast Alaska. That represents only about three-quarters of the A- negative blood that hospitals in the region use in an average day, according to data compiled by Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services.
Stocks of O-negative and B-negative blood had fallen to one day’s supply, said Christina Dunlap of the Red Cross office in Medford. Dunlap said hospitals may cancel elective surgeries when blood supplies are scarce in order to have blood available for emergencies.
Dunlap said supplies of O-positive, A-positive, B-positive and AB-positive were "adequate," which the Red Cross defines as three days’ supply or more.
Blood donors generally provide enough blood to meet the region’s need, but seasonal shortages occur, especially in winter, said Dr. Lance Trainor, medical director for the Red Cross’ Pacific Northwest chapter.
"A higher percentage of people postpone donation because they’re sick," Trainor said in a telephone interview.
Trainor said blood has a relatively short usable life, so donations must keep pace with demand. Red blood cells, for example, must be used within 42 days.
"Disruptions in the collection (cycle) can put us into a shortage quickly," he said.
Trainor said Northwest blood donations have held steady at around 250,000 units per year for the past six years, but the demand for blood has increased about 4 to 5 percent annually as the region adds more residents and more older people who have medical needs.
"In the past we’ve had blood to share (with other regions)," Trainor said. "Now we’re able to share less."
Blood is classified by the presence or absence of complex proteins called antigens on the surface of red blood cells and other proteins called antibodies in the plasma (the straw-colored liquid component of whole blood). Transfused blood can be life-threatening if it is given to someone with an incompatible type of blood or plasma.
The antigens are called A and B. Every human has one or both or neither of them in their red blood cells. Type A blood has the A antigen; type B blood has the B antigen; AB blood has both antigens; and O blood has neither.
Antibodies in the plasma are the "opposite" of antigens found in the red cells. Type A plasma has anti-B antibody; type B plasma has anti-A antibody; AB plasma has neither antibody; and O plasma has both.
A donor’s blood or plasma must be compatible with the recipient’s to prevent the donated blood from clumping inside the body.
Type O blood is often called the "universal donor" because it has neither the A nor B antigens and can be given to anybody without complications. People with AB blood are often called "universal recipients" because they can receive blood of any type.
Human blood type varies depending on each individual’s race and genetic origin, but in general 38 percent of Americans have type O-positive blood, according to statistics prepared by the American Red Cross. Thirty-four percent have A-positive; 9 percent have B-positive; 3 percent have AB-positive; 7 percent have O-negative; 6 percent have A-negative; 2 percent have B-negative; and 1 percent have AB-negative.
Trainor said the Red Cross wants to recruit more donors to expand the blood supply. Blood drives at businesses, churches and civic groups tend to be the most productive sources, he said.
"The donor we get is the donor we make it convenient for," he said.
Trainor said a blood drive needs to produce at least 16 units of blood to justify sending the collection team to a site. Businesses with 50 to 75 employees can often recruit at least 16 people to donate blood, he said.
Source: http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/0225/local/stories/05local.htm
Blood Donation
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 |
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fellow medical doctor of my brother-in-law sent me a letter yesterday requesting for my kind assistance to publish their need for more blood donation. The following are some useful information about donating blood as provided by Philippine National Red Cross-National Blood Services located along Roxas Avenue, Davao City with telephone number 227-3949.
Why is there a need for young voluntary blood donation?
Even with the ad-vances of science, there is no substitute for blood. Blood for transfusion has to come from a healthy human being. Every day Davao City needs about 80 bags of blood per day or about 3 bags of blood per hour.
Volunteer donors have been advocated by the World Health Organization and transfusion experts as a source of safe blood. This is because they will disclose honestly their illnesses or if they have unsafe practices and they are most likely to be-come regu-lar donors.
What are the benefits of giving blood?
*Saving Lives. There is no substitute for blood. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients in need of lifesaving transfusions. Donating blood is a safe, simple way to make a difference for people in your community. In this way, each blood donation provided by a donor can help to save several people’s lives.(Adapted from LifeSouth Commu-nity Blood Centers)
**Giving blood is a great thing to do. By making a blood donation, you are not only helping save the lives of people you will never meet; you’re also doing yourself a good turn.(Adapted from The Australian Red Cross Blood Services)
A regular check-up. Each time you make a donation, we check your blood pressure and hemoglobin (an indication of your iron level). This is an easy way to keep track of your health as any changes to your blood pressure or hemoglobin are picked up during our screening process. Our staff can advise you about changes you can make to your diet or refer you on to a medical practitioner to have any changes checked out in greater detail.
Looking after your heart. Some studies have shown that regular blood donation can help prevent the build-up of iron in the body over time, reducing the strain this places on major organs including the heart. The benefits are thought to be most pronounced in middle-aged men and amongst people prone to haemachro-motosis. We also think that regular acts of kindness, like giving blood, are good for anyone’s heart.
A donation you can afford. Many of us like to feel part of the community and contribute to charities whenever we can. It’s not always possible to give money, even when the need is great. One way you can really make a difference to your commu-nity without going to great expense is to give blood!
The Blood Donors Card. You will be given a blood donors card. This card is a proof of your donation and is transfe-rable. You can give the card to someone in need of blood transfusion. They can then withdraw in any Red Cross Blood Center in the Philippines. It has no expiration date but could not be used once lost.
Source: http://bond.lanesystems.com/sitegen/article.asp?wid=125&cid=453&aid=35437
Donate Blood, The Gift Of Life
Peggy Averill
As we all start a new year full of hopes and dreams for health and happiness for our families and loved ones, we seldom anticipate a tragedy happening to those we care for. Such was the case for Paul Bonyun and his family.
As you all know, Paul was struck on the head by a tree he was cutting earlier this month. Paul's injuries were severe and with the aid of his family, first responders, emergency personnel and Life Flight, he was taken to CMMC. Paul had lost a lot of blood and required surgery immediately upon his arrival.
The reason I begin this story with a recap of Paul's accident is to remind people that when we least expect it, the demand for blood could be yours, or someone you love.
I'm sure that when Paul went out to cut that morning, neither he nor his family ever thought that Paul would be needing someone's generous life saving gift blood.
The need for blood is a daily demand. Blood is needed in the treatment of trauma (such as Paul's), for surgeries, and also for long-term treatment of patients with chronic diseases.
It is estimated that every 10 seconds someone needs blood. One out of every ten hospital patients requires a blood transfusion. A liver transplant recipient can need 50 units of blood and sometimes as many as 300 units.
Did you know only about five percent of the population donates blood? Blood cannot be manufactured; it can only come from generous blood donors like you.
Every blood donation may help save several patients, because blood is separated into components: red blood cells, platelets, plasma and derivatives.
Imagine being able to save lives by just giving an hour of your time and a pint of your blood.
If you are 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in good health, you may be eligible to donate.
Everyday, the American Red Cross Blood Services-New England Region provides blood and blood products for patients in all of Maine's 39 hospitals. Over 300 blood donations are required everyday in Maine to meet the blood needs of patients in our community.
On Thursday, February 2 in honor of Paul Bonyun, the Beta Sigma Phi Alpha Iota chapter will host an American Red Cross Blood drive at the Wiscasset Community Center. The drive will run from noon until 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Should you be interested in scheduling an appointment, please call 882-5242.
If you have never donated blood and are not sure how the whole donation process works, please stop in and one of the Alpha Iota ladies will take you through and explain every step. The donation process is a safe and painless experience that will leave you with a great feeling as you walk away knowing you helped save a life with your donation today. It's a great feeling.
The generosity of others helps to save lives everyday. Hopefully you will never need this life saving gift, but isn't it nice to know that due to others' generosity it is there. You, too, can become one of these generous donors.
Source: http://wiscassetnewspaper.maine.com/2006-01-26/gift_of_life.html |
