Yesterday the American Red Cross Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region, held an in-depth blood services overview at The Casino to discuss what happens to blood after donation. Other topics included: critical safety and health issues dealing with donation and blood products. The speaker for the presentation was director of public relations Marianne Spampinato.
The ARC Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region, serves 100 counties in six states, including: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky. More than 100 hospitals are in this region, and the blood products that are prepared for these hospitals include: whole blood, red blood cells, platelet concentrate, single donor platelets, apheresis, cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen and other plasma products.
A person must be 17 years of age or older and weigh at least 105 pounds to be a blood donor. Nearly half of the population can donate blood, but only five percent do so each year. A donor can give blood every 56 days. There is a screening process for every prospective donor, but once that is finished, the actual process takes about 10 minutes. Approximately one pint of blood is taken each time.
Some people with a medical history who can donate blood are: people with high blood pressure if the blood pressure is acceptable on the day of donation; people with diabetes even if on insulin; and people with epilepsy if the person has been seizure free for up to three months.
Some people who cannot donate blood are: people with a cold, flu, sore throat or other type of infection the day of donation; if a person has had hepatitis on or after age 11; if a person has tested positive for HIV; or if anyone has questionable lifestyle issues. A donor must wait at least 12 months after getting a tattoo to donate blood and wait 12 months to donate if the person does not know if the needle was previously used for either accupuncture or body piercing. Other medical questions can be answered by calling 1-800-54BLOOD.
There is always a critical need for the donation of blood, and one of the ways the ARC is making it easier for donors is to hold more blood drives so that it is convenient for people to come out and give blood. For this year, the goal is 250,000 pints of blood from the Greater Alleghenies Region, and that means 1,050 pints a day is needed. While all blood types are in demand, there is always a call for Type O Negative, or the “universal donor.”
ARC’s slogan is “Give the gift of life; together, we can save a life,” and anybody who wants to learn more about blood donation or volunteering opportunities can visit the web site at www.redcrosslife.org or call the Johnstown headquarters at 1-800-54BLOOD.
