Blood Donors Needed!

Jan. 07, 2009 — During the holiday season, the nation's blood supply tends to dip dangerously low because of a decline in donations.

Now that the holiday season has ended and 2009 has begun, there is still one gift left to give - a pint of blood. This gift is one that is desperately needed after New Year's Day. January is National Blood Donor Month and there is a need for eligible donors to roll up their sleeves and contribute a pint of blood for the well-being of communities.

"Everyone knows someone who has needed blood," says Jill Allen, director of donor recruitment for the American Red Cross' Lewis and Clark Blood Services Region, in Salt Lake City. "There is only a select group that can supply blood, and there is always a great demand for blood. If you can do that, you should share in the responsibility of making sure there is enough available."

Annually, almost 5 million people in the United States receive blood transfusions requiring almost 14 million units of whole blood and red blood cells, according to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). Patients and trauma victims have a need for almost 39,000 units of red blood cells on any given day. People need the real thing, and scientists have not been able to develop an artificial substitute for human blood.

"We need people to call their local blood collection facility and schedule an appointment to donate blood," says Jennifer Garfinkel, spokeswoman for the AABB, formerly the American Association of Blood Banks. "One pint of blood can save up to three lives."

Blood Donations Decrease During the Winter
The blood supply usually decreases around the holiday season after a "perfect storm" of obstacles, Garfinkel says. First, there are the holidays themselves. "People aren't on their regular schedules, especially people who are regular donors," says Garfinkel. "They are concentrating on other things. You also have school blood drives, whether it's high schools or college classes, that aren't taking place during holiday vacations."

During the cold and flu season, eligible blood donors may become too sick to contribute. And then there is the weather, which becomes worse in December. "If it's snowing outside, people aren't going to leave their houses on icy streets to go donate," Garfinkel says.

An estimated 37.8 percent of the US population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, according to the AABB. A donor can be disqualified due to their medical history, weight, or illness. If an individual has been ineligible to donate blood in the past, it does not mean that they will be unable to be a donor in the future.

"People need to know they should always ask if they are eligible, because the criteria are always changing. Maybe I couldn't donate today because my iron levels weren't what they should be, but that changes over time, " Allen says. "I think many people are surprised to find that they are eligible to be donors. Don't make the assumption that you aren't eligible for any specific reason. Really look into it."

Shelf Life of Blood Products
After blood has been spun down to its individual components, it still has a limited shelf life, according to the American Red Cross. Platelets must be used within five days of donation. The need for platelets is critical to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Red blood cells can be stored for a maximum of 42 days if they are refrigerated. When frozen, red blood cells can last up to 10 years. A small portion of the red blood supply is frozen because of the high cost involved. Red blood cells are given to individuals with blood disorders, trauma victims, and surgical patients.

Plasma is usually frozen and must be used within one year. This product is usually administered to burn victims or people requiring massive transfusions.

Preparation Tips for Blood Donation
The American Red Cross recommends eating a good breakfast or lunch with iron-rich foods - red meat, fish, poultry, beans, raisins, prunes, or iron-fortified cereal. Fatty foods should be avoided, because fatty material in donated blood can interfere with infection testing. Sometimes, blood donations have to be discarded due to the fatty material in the blood.

Donors should drink extra water and fluids to replace the liquid donated, but caffeinated beverages should be avoided. Clothing with sleeves that can be raised above the elbow should be worn to blood drives. Rest after donating blood, and avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for at least five hours. It is important to drink plenty of fluids a day or so after a donation to re-hydrate the body.