Blood donations needed

[JanS]

this is from the front page. Because of the accident today on the Aurora Bridge, and the vast number of injured, the bloodbank needs more donation. Please consider :(I can no longer donate)

https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/Default.aspx

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[beckbe]

The Tukwila donation center looks like it’s pretty well booked but there are lots of slots available at the VA hospital tomorrow, and a blood drive at Westwood Village Sunday (though not many appointments available).

Edit: This article does state that Bloodworks would like people to schedule appointments rather than just show up: http://goo.gl/eiue2S

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[JanS]

beckbe…thanks for that. I’ve been told that there are numerous blood drives around Seattle tomorrow, so hopefully their stock will be replenished to overflowing.:)

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[sna]

I find it a little concerning that an accident where less than 40 people may need blood is causing a shortage. This was a tragic incident no doubt, but shouldn’t the blood banks be prepared for a much larger event?

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[WSB]

From the home page of Bloodworks NW (formerly Puget Sound Blood Centers), which is THE supplier for the region:

“Bloodworks supports 90 hospitals in the Northwest, with an average inventory of about 4,000 units — enough for four days of normal demand. This includes all eight different blood types. Blood is needed every day to meet the needs of patients having surgery, organ transplants, receiving cancer treatment, or therapies for blood disorders.”

If more people donated/were allowed to donate, maybe they’d be able to have more of a supply on hand. Obviously if catastrophe happened, elective surgeries and whatnot would probably be out the window, so it might go a bit further.

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[Talaki34]

Why are blood banks in such dire need of blood and its components? Because donations are down. Pretty simple, right? Wrong.

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• A healthy adult can donate 1 pint of blood approximately 6 times a year. This pint can be used whole (all the components intact) or the individual components can be separated and used for several purposes. Most people don’t realize they can donate this often or that you don’t have to give just whole blood. There are options.

• Older adults are more likely to donate than younger adults are. As the population ages and the current donors become unavailable to donate, supply is reduced for blood recipients. So why don’t younger adults donate? The following article written in 2012 is a fair assessment of why they aren’t. https://thebloodblog.wordpress.com/

• World in crisis. Most of us don’t stop to think about the larger picture. In a disaster blood can be shipped anywhere.

• In the last 30 years the number of people who can donate has also dropped. The impact from the increase in drug use and the complications that come from it is a huge problem. Even clean and sober, IV drug users cannot ever donate. Then there are illnesses that preclude people who would like to donate, but can’t or are limited when they can donate. Sometimes there are waiting periods after procedures or when medications are stopped.

• Excuses. This is the biggest reason of all. No time, errands to run, work, the dog or the cat, gymnastics, softball, anniversary or birthday, lack of knowledge…We all have the excuses lined up and most of us use them.

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Good news! Easy fix!

You can schedule an appointment to fit your routine. Think of donating as part of your personal or your family’s healthy lifestyle.

Before assuming that you cannot donate, check. Just because you are taking medication or have something medical going on, does not mean you can’t donate. Most people can. If you are turned down, don’t give up, it is usually not forever. Ask why you can’t and when you can return.

Got a question? Ask it. Knowledge is everything. Anxious about the process? Talk about it. Many long time donors were afraid the first few times.

Take a friend with you. Make it a family affair. Kids 16/17(Parent consent and meeting weight restrictions) and older can donate. For the little ones it is a great teaching opportunity. Literally, you are giving of yourself to those in need.

Here are two sites that will answer most questions people have about donating blood.

http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood

https://www.bcw.edu/bcw/Blood-Donation/all-about-blood/index.htm

This site has a great list. Look for FAST FACTS.

http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu/press/press_kit.html

Still have questions? Call the Red Cross or stop by the Bloodmobile.

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[Sue]

The reason I stopped giving blood long ago was that I got tired of being turned away and wasting my time. I have eczema, which is not contagious, and they would look at it and say I have an “unexplained rash” and could not donate. If it wasn’t that, they’d turn me away for my chronic cough. I have a lung condition that does not preclude me from donating. However, they would decide that I was “sick” due to the cough, so could not donate. Finally, I was often turned away because my hemoglobin level did not reach their minimum. And it was off by like 0.1 (on the low side) and they would turn me away. I know they need to do things to keep the blood supply safe for the people receiving it, and keep me safe, but it got so tiresome that I just gave up. And that pains me, as I’m 0+ – a much needed type – and a willing donor. Perhaps I’ll give it one more try since I admittedly haven’t tried since moving to Seattle – this was back in NY that they kept turning me away. Maybe things are different here, or they’ve gotten more forgiving.

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[JTB]

Sue,

A note from your doctor confirming the diagnosis for your conditions would probably take care of the concerns the nurse or technician would have.

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[Talaki34]

Awesome Sue!

Along with speaking with your doctor, maybe calling ahead to the facility you will be donating at could be beneficial. It is always nice to have someone you can ask for upon arrival to help smooth the way.

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[trickycoolj]

I’ve been wanting to donate since before the accident occurred. I’m O+ which has apparently been such a critical need in the last month that they started calling me out if the blue after not donating for 10 years. I mean a lot could have changed in my life to disqualify me in that time but they’re that far down the list.

The thing that always gives me pause is the time it takes to regenerate white blood cells. When I donated in college I wound up with a nasty cold and double ear infections during midterms. Just miserable. So I’m naturally gunshy afraid of getting knocked out for a week with flu (it’s already in my office) or cold/infections. I also frequently travel to Germany including during the BSE/mad cow era so I’m never sure if I’m allowed or not.

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[JTB]

Tricky, White blood cells (and platelets) are replaced rapidly, within 24-24 hours. According to the Red Cross website, if you were in Germany for a cumulative period of five years or more from 1980 to now, you can’t donate; otherwise, you’re fine. The window is smaller for time spent in UK countries. They have a section on travel issues and discussion about variant Jacob Creutzfeldt disease on the Red Cross website.

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