There are a lot of video clips on YouTube regarding blood, blood products and blood transfusions. One of the best that addresses the platelet donation and why it is important was created by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. It’s professionally made, packed with information, and runs a short 7 minutes. You can view it by clicking here.
Archive for the 'Update' Category
Someone sent me a magazine clipping about World Blood Donor Day, June 14. I surfed the Net and found the World Health Organization website that explains what World Blood Donor Day is all about — click here.
In a nutshell, World Blood Donor Day marks the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, the Nobel laureate who discovered the ABO blood group system. The website adds:
“The global theme for 2009 – “achieving 100 per cent non-remunerated donation of blood and blood components” — places a renewed emphasis on improving the safety and sufficiency of blood supply. As more and more countries achieve the goal of 100 per cent voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, there is growing appreciation of the vital role of voluntary donors who donate blood on a regular basis. Not only are they the safest blood donors, they are also the foundation of sustainable national blood supplies that are sufficient to meet the needs of all patients requiring blood and blood components.”
I appreciate that this esteemed international organization appreciates voluntary donors, who give to help others and not themselves. I agree that voluntary donors are the safest blood donors.
If you are a blood donor, mark June 14 as a day in your honor. It is truly deserved.
Platelets, made in your bone marrow, are used by your body to heal wounds and clot blood.
When you donate whole blood, your pint is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Cancer patients undergoing aggressive medical processes, such as chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant, need platelet transfusions because those treatments can destroy platelets along with cancer cells. As a result, the patient is often in danger of severe bleeding. For such patients, platelet transfusions are their only hope for survival.
There is a special procedure in which a donor can give only platelets. This procedure produces, in one sitting, the equivalent amount of platelets collected in five to six whole blood donations. After the platelets are extracted, the rest of the blood is returned to the donor. And whereas a whole blood donor can only give every eight weeks, the platelet donor can give as soon as every two weeks.
The platelet donation procedure (commonly called “apheresis”) at the Blood Bank of Hawaii goes like this:
- Just as done by the whole blood donor, the platelet donor fills out a medical history questionnaire and receives a mini-physical exam.
- One arm is prepared and connected by a needle and tubes to a special blood cell separator machine. An anti-clotting agent is combined with the blood to keep it from clotting while being processed.
- A small amount of blood is taken from your vein and, after entering the machine, the platelets are separated for collection in a sterile plastic bag. The machine then pumps what remains of your blood back into your vein using the same tubes and needle. This cycle is repeated until the collection process is completed.
- The blood that returns to your vein is cold, so you will be wrapped in a blanket or two to keep you comfortable.
- The anti-clotting agent may make your lips and mouth tingle. If that happens, disclose it to the nurse and she will offer you some calcium (I like the chocolate chews) to counter the tingling.
Your time on the machine will vary based on your weight and platelet count, but the collection process normally takes from 60 to 90 minutes. The donation process if fully automated and carefully monitored by trained staff. With that amount of time on the machine and with so much attention from the staff, you will find yourself getting to know the nurses and becoming friends. They are always glad to see you and they are part of what makes your platelet donation such a satisfying experience.
When I first started donating platelets years ago, both arms had to be connected to the machine. One needle to withdraw the blood, the other to return the blood. It was forbidden to bend or move the arms. If your nose itched, you asked the nurse to scratch it. Some donors brought their Walkmans and, later, iPods to listen to music. A TV and VCR were available for you to watch a TV show or a movie on VHS tape.
Today, with the new machine that requires just one arm, your other arm is free to hold a magazine, use your cell phone or scratch whatever itches. You can still watch TV or view a movie on DVD. Just lie back, relax, and let the machine do all the work.
Times have changed and the equipment has changed. What has not changed is the constant need for platelets. Patients fighting cancer, kids undergoing surgery, moms giving birth and other people facing medical crises are counting on platelets to help save their lives. Considering a single platelet donation is equivalent to five to six whole blood donations, I hope you see how important it is to be a platelet donor. And by giving many more times than a whole blood donor, you can help save many more lives.
01
May
09
It takes leadership and courage…
When you are 17 or 18 years old, it is easy to be afraid of the needle, especially a big needle that someone wants to poke into a vein in your arm when that needle will stay in your vein in your arm for, like, 10 minutes!
Now, imagine being a 17-year-old student who has to persuade other 17-year-old students to do just that!
Well, my hat is off to two 17-year-old seniors at McKinley High School who not only did that, but did it with such dedication today that the school surpassed the Blood Bank of Hawaii’s 30-pint goal by 6 pints, for a total of 36 pints!
I salute Tony Nguyen and Travis Coloma, who coordinated today’s blood drive at this public school. McKinley High has produced some of Hawaii’s most accomplished citizens, like U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye and former Hawaii Governor George Ariyoshi. Tony and Travis continue the schoolʻs proud tradition of producing outstanding young leaders.
Ukucheck, a local blogger, writes about his recent experience as a first-time donor at a Blood Bank of Hawaii drive conducted at Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama Campus. While the experience might not have been as satisfying as could be hoped, ukucheck’s determination to give again is inspiring. Read his blog here.
19
Apr
09
Saluting Lifesaver Clubs
When I first started donating blood, I joined my employer’s Lifesaver Club, one of the great programs of the Blood Bank of Hawaii. By establishing a Lifesaver Club, my employer recognized the importance of giving blood, encouraged employees to give blood on company time, and promoted blood donations by providing us with educational information and, from time to time, little gifts and snacks.
I learned that Hawaii’s Lifesaver Clubs bring in more than half of the state’s blood supply. That alone told me how important these clubs are to the health and welfare of Hawaii’s patients.
If your employer has a Lifesaver Club, please consider participating. If your employer does not have a club, please consider asking the boss to contact the Blood Bank of Hawaii to start one. If ever Hawaii lost its Lifesaver Clubs, I cannot imagine the dire consequence for our hospitals and patients. We need more, not less, Lifesaver Clubs.
Thank you, Lifesaver Clubs and club members, for saving lives every day in Hawaii nei.
While surfing the Net, I found this very interesting story about a Colorado man who was about to give his 400th donation. Here’s the story:
By Amy Bounds
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Virgil Olson, 76, talks about his experiences of giving blood since his high school years and the importance of saving lives Sunday. Olson will give his 400th donation Tuesday.
Virgil Olson began donating blood in high school, just like his dad and older brother.
Now, at 76, the modest Louisville resident is about to become the first Boulder County donor to give blood 400 times, for a total of about 50 gallons. He plans to give his 400th pint Tuesday at Bonfils Blood Center’s Boulder location — and has no intention of stopping after he reaches that milestone.
“I want to give as often as I can,” he said. “Hopefully, I’ve saved a few lives.”
He’s been opening a vein every two weeks since he retired in 1997. He gives plasma and platelets instead of whole blood, allowing him to donate more often.
While “whole” blood donors are restricted to donating six times a year, those who donate plasma and platelets can give up to 24 times a year. That kind of donation takes less of a toll because the red blood cells, which carry oxygen, are returned to the body.
Whole blood goes mainly to trauma victims, platelets to leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy and plasma to burn victims. All are in high demand, said Bonfils spokeswoman Julie Scott.
She said Olson’s Tuesday donation will make him only the 14th Bonfils donor in the state to reach the 400-donation mark.
“We’re just extremely proud to honor Virgil,” she said.
She said 110,000 people donate blood to Bonfils each year, but about 60 percent of those only give once a year. If each of those people gave twice, she said, it would eliminate blood shortages.
“Stories like Virgil’s really serve to inspire other people,” she said.
Olson almost had to skip this Tuesday’s donation because of low iron levels. A finger prick to check his iron is done before each blood donation — if it’s too low, he can’t donate.
So he’s been eating lots of red meat, especially liver and onions, and taking iron supplements. But, just to make sure, he asked his doctor to test his levels last week. A nurse initially said a blood draw was a no go, but a follow-up call to the doctor confirmed that he can give plasma and platelets, just not whole blood.
“I’ve been shooting for this day the last few years and almost didn’t get to do it,” he said.
He’s become something of a blood donation crusader, talking up the importance of blood donations to family members, friends and pretty much everyone he meets.
While working at Coors, he convinced co-workers to participate in mobile blood drives with the enticement of a beer. He hasn’t had as much luck with his wife, who isn’t a fan of needles. But he’s got his son donating blood throughout the year, while his son-in-law has started donating every two weeks.
“He’s says he’s going to catch me, but I don’t think he will,” Olson said. “I’m pretty far ahead.”
He called the national statistic that only 4 percent of people donate blood “awful.” (NOTE: In Hawaii, only 2 percent of eligible people donate blood.)
“There’s nothing to it,” he said. “Once you do it and find out how easy it is, you get hooked.”
© 2006 Daily Camera and Boulder Publishing, LLC.
19
Apr
09
Three vampires walk into a bar…
Here’s a funny joke offered by fellow-blogger JoanMats who has a terrific blog titled “JM’s iOpeners.” Pay her a visit here.
Here’s her joke, which she got from a friend:
Three vampires walk into a bar. The first one says, “I’ll have a pint of blood.”
The second one says, “I’ll have one, too.”
The third one says, “I’ll have a pint of plasma.”
The bartender says, “So, that’ll be two Bloods and a Blood Lite?”
Thanks, Joan, for putting a big smile on my face!
Prepping for the blood donation — quite frankly, I never gave this much thought because I almost always have had a satisfactory donation. Never felt dizzy or lightheaded. Thirsty, yes, but I quenched that with fruit juices at the canteen.
So I was surprised to learn that the Blood Bank of Hawaii has suggestion on what to do during the 24 hours before your donation. The suggestions make a lot of sense, so I will repeat them here:
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water within the 24 hours prior to your appointment
- Eat a healthy, hearty meal
- Get adequate rest
Sensible suggestions that are easy to follow. In fact, good rules to live by every day. So thank you, Blood Bank of Hawaii, for reminding me that I have to take care of my health if I want to help others regain their health.
19
Apr
09
Flu shot — OK to give blood?
I get a flu shot every year, and I make sure to reveal it on the medical questionnaire when I give blood. The good news is that it is OK to donate blood after receiving the flu vaccination. I try to keep myself healthy so that I remain eligible to give blood.
If you have an eligibility question, call the Blood Bank of Hawaii and speak to one of the helpful and friendly nurses. On Oahu, call 845-9966. On a neighbor island, all toll-free, 1-800-372-9966.
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