January Is National Blood Donor Month

[Nebka Galyn]

January is more than the start of the New Year. It’s also National Blood Donor Month and an opportunity to thank those who regularly help save lives by literally rolling up their sleeves. Without the generosity of those who give so selflessly, millions of patients each year would not have the required blood for emergencies or ongoing treatment.

Blood is unique. It cannot be made synthetically. Volunteers are the only way to provide this much needed supply of blood. And the demand is great.

Donating is easy and safe. However, donations can only be made every 56 days. This means each persons has only six opportunities each year to contribute to a greater good. It is critical donors seize these chances to make giving blood a routine way of giving back.

We’ve all seen the images of people lining up at blood centers following an emergency, for which we are all grateful. However, many don’t realize that it’s the blood already on the shelf at the time of an emergency helping those in immediate need. A single donation can take anywhere from 12 to 48 hours to become available for patients in need. Why does it take so long? All donated blood is tested more than a dozen times to ensure it is safe for transfusion. That’s why the best way to help after the next emergency is to give generously NOW.

That’s what this monthly focus is about. As you make resolutions/goals for the new year, we encourage all those who can to make blood donation a priority. Together, we can help save lives and support more people across our community.

Only 40% of the annual 118.5 million donations are collected in high-income countries, which to 16% of the world's population (Source). The rate of donations from those 65 and older may slow as they age of out of their ability to donate blood. The percentage of younger blood donors – those between the ages of 16 and 24 years old – may not necessarily replace those older adults if a habit of donating blood is not established early. Encourage younger adults to form this habit of donating now until they too are limited by their own ability to donate blood.

Additional resources and information is below. Please post additional information we should know and it will be added!

Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies - an international, not-for-profit association representing individuals and institutions involved in the fields of transfusion medicine and biotherapies. The AABB is committed to improving health through the development and delivery of standards, accreditation and educational programs focusing on optimization of patient and donor care and safety.

America's Blood - [Our] 600 blood collection sites ... serve more than 150 million people and provide blood products and services to more than 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities across North America. Find a blood collection resource near you.

European Blood Alliance - Contributing to the safety and security of the blood supply for the citizens of Europe by developing and maintaining an efficient network of European blood services.

South African National Blood Service - To reliably provide trusted blood products and services to all patients at a world class level of cost and quality while innovating new treatment to enhance human healthcare.

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While January is National Blood Donor Month, 2024 is the 10th anniversary of TarValon.Net's annual blood drive! Click Here to learn more about this event in our Site Announcements thread.

If you have donated blood or feel this is an important cause and want to help promote it within the community, here are some blood donation graphics:

Spoiler: Show your support and/or participation with these graphics!

Thank you, @MarketingDepartment!

Signature Badges:

 

[Polegnyn Nemeara]

I'm Want to Donate! But...​

... I know nothing about my blood.
There are four basic blood types in the classic ABO blood-typing system: A, B, AB, and O. These are diagrammed below to show which properties each blood type has:

Source: Cancer.org; https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/blood-transfusion-and-donation/blood-types-and-matching.html​

While major differences are noted, the specific protein marker, or antigen, on each red blood cell performs the same purpose. Each of these antigens differ in shape, constantly scanned and read like a name tag by your body to know if it belongs or should be destroyed. If different, your body's immune system is triggered and the antibodies in one's plasma responds to fight that foreign antigen on a germ, virus, or other abnormality entering or occurring in your system.

There is also one's Rhesus D antigen ("Rh factor") to consider. All these blood types have a " + " (your red blood cells have an Rh protein on it) or " - " (your red blood cells lack an Rh protein) to make for a total of eight unique blood types in the ABO system alone. Lacking an Rh protein does not mean you are ill. The presence of this protein simply determines what, if any, precautionary measures need to taken if you are planning to have children. It is also important this matches the person who may receive your blood during a transfusion.

Additional information about common blood types and their Rh factor can be read here on Stanford's Blood Center webpage.

To complicate matters even more, there are also rare blood types that do not fit into the classic ABO classification. There are actually over 600 different types of antigens occurring throughout our diverse global population. Read about a handful of them on OneBlood's webpage. This only magnifies the need for as many people as possible to donate blood!

How do I know my blood type?
As with most everything, one's Rh factor is inherited from either of one's biological parents. However, it is not a safe assumption you have the same blood type as either of your parents. Parents who both have Type A blood may produce a child who has Type A or possibly Type O. The chart below shows the various possibilities given your biological parent's blood types:

Source: OneBlood.org; https://www.oneblood.org/blog/how-do-blood-types-work.html​

How can someone end up with a different blood type than their parents?
When DNA is passed along, the child inherits one of two alleles from the biological mother and one of two alleles from the biological father. Because there are four maternal blood types and four paternal blood types, ultimately, there are 16 possible allele combinations their child could possess resulting in a completely different blood type from the biological parents. (Source: Fairfax Cryobank; https://fairfaxcryobank.com/blood-type-predictor)

What if I am determined to know my blood type?
Simplest and safest way to find out your blood type is to simply go donate blood. Your donation will be tested, recorded and the results of your visit will be sent to you in some fashion, either via the blood bank organization's website or app. Then you will know your blood type and pass that information along as you feel comfortable or deem appropriate

One can also visit their doctor to have a blood test performed or ask if your blood was ever tested during a medical procedure.

What questions do you have about blood types? ​

 

[Polegnyn Nemeara]

These are two questions I had while researching this topic but had trouble finding answers for:

• Generally speaking, what shape is each antigen?
• Why does Type O blood have no antigens?

Does anyone know?

 

[Polegnyn Nemeara]

Overview of various donation types
Your blood donation organization will ask what type of blood donation you would like to give during your initial screening. Honestly, this took me by surprise most during my first donation, and I stammered, "This is my first time donating so whatever people usually go with their first time." I had no idea which to specify! Since then I have learned there are several types of blood donations:

• Platelets — Platelets are your body's natural reaction to stop bleeding. But sometimes the wound is large enough and significant amount of platelets are lost. Because of this, platelet donations are used to assist the stoppage of bleeding during life threatening events. Cancer patients also use platelets during their treatments if their bones, which can be damaged by chemotherapy, do not remake them fast enough. Unlike blood, which can be refrigerated for up to 42 days, platelets have to be used within 5 days. Given the process for donating platelets alone takes 2.5 – 3 hours, who knew these cells were so valuable! The good news is platelet donations can be made once every two weeks (14 days) (Thank you, @Jorell al'Racha!).
• Whole Blood — This is the standard blood donation. It contains red cells, white cells, and platelets all suspended in plasma. One can make a Whole Blood donation every 56 days. It can be refrigerated up to 35 days.
• Power Reds — This type of donation includes a concentrated dose of red blood cells and can be given to up to twice as many people in need. Because of this, a Power Red donation is typically given to newborn, pediatric, trauma and surgery patients. A Power Red donation can be stored up to 42 days. However, this type of donation can only be given every 112 days.
• Plasma — Typically given to burn patients to maintain blood pressure and other vital functions. Plasma is about 92% water. It also contains 7% vital proteins such as albumin, gamma globulin and anti-hemophilic factor, and 1% mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones and vitamins. This type of donation can be can be made every 28 days, frozen and stored up to one year.

(Source: RedCrossBlood.org; https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help.html, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-information.html, https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/types-of-blood-donations.html; Cancer.org; https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/blood-transfusion-and-donation/what-are-transfusions.html; Vitalant.org, https://www.vitalant.org/blog/blood-donation-basics/power-red-donation)

So different blood types and types of donations exist.. Why does all this matter?
If one is looking to help people with certain conditions over others, it's important to know your blood type as well as the type of donation you would like to give. Different blood types help some groups relying on blood donations moreso than others. B- blood types are not ideal for Cancer patients. B+ and A+ blood types are not ideal for trauma patients or those receiving surgery. According to the American Red Cross, even blood types from people of a particular race are most compatible others of the same race or ethnicity and is pivotal when trying to avoid possible transfusion-related complications. Additional conditions and details can be found by clicking the source link
(Source: RedCrossBlood.org; https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donations-help.html)

Is every healthy individual automatically allowed to donate blood?
Not everyone will be allowed to donate blood despite your desire to do so. Even perfectly healthy people have to meet a specific weight, level of Iron, and a pre-screening (including preliminary finger prick) will be done to ensure you are an ideal candidate. Ensure you've done all you can beforehand to make that additional finger prick count!

• Hydrate! — Seems like a simple concept, but nevertheless challenging on the best of days even when not preparing to donate blood. Doing so in preparation for your donation will help make your veins easier to find. Less pricks always make any experience better! Also, hydration will increase your overall volume of blood so you will feel better after your donation has been collected.
• Eat meals rich in Iron and vitamin C — While also good during an average day, eating meals rich in Iron beforehand will help your body produce new blood cells faster and vitamin C will help the body absorb said Iron.
• Rest and relax — A good night's sleep and only light exercise is recommended. This way your body hasn't depleted fluids that will be needed after your donation.
• Check your medications — Some over-the-counter medications you may be taking or recently took would prevent you from donating. For example, if you are a platelet donor, you must not take aspirin for two days prior to donating. Talk to a member of your health care team before you stop taking any medications in order to donate blood.
• Wear a shirt with sleeves that can be rolled up — And, in case of a sore arm afterward, button up shirts come highly recommended.

But... But, I hate needles or the sight of blood... Can I still help?

• Practice breathing exercises before, during, and afterwards — donating blood can increase anxiety, especially for someone who has never donated before. While collections spaces are kept sterile, a glimpse of a collection bag may also peg one's anxiety. Having breathing exercises in place will hopefully make your experience a much more enjoyable one.
• Ask to be warned before the collection begins so you can look away — The person who begins the collection process may warn you before it begins. However, if they forget, advocate that you would like to have this warning so you are prepared.
• Ask a friend or family to attend with you — Whether they are there to donate blood themselves or solely to support you, ask a friend or relative to attend. Having that support will go a long way to make the experience more enjoyable as well as create a shared experience to help you both grow closer.
• Donate monetarily — As with every nonprofit, donations can also be monetary. Funds will be used in a variety of ways including but not limited to the items necessary to screen, collect, and store your precious donation until it can be used by someone who sorely needs it.

What should I do after donating blood?

• Treat yourself! — Donation sites will sometimes have snacks and drinks available when your donation is complete. According the Australian Red Cross, salty snacks help restore your blood's volume causing your body to retain fluid to dissolve the extra intake of sodium.
• Drink additional non-alcoholic fluids to replace those lost during your donation.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity or heavy lifting for about 24 hours — Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body which, in turn, powers one's muscles. Your body needs to regenerate these oxygen rich cells, and post-donation strenuous workouts could increase the risk of injury or prolong the amount of time needed to recover from the donation itself.
• If you feel lightheaded, lie down with your feet up until the feeling passes — This is may occur due to a drop in blood pressure from the blood now missing from your body.
• Keep your bandage on and dry for the next four hours.
• If you have bleeding after removing the bandage, put pressure on the site and raise your arm until the bleeding stops.
• If bruising occurs, apply a cold pack to the area periodically during the first 24 hours.

(Source: MayoClinic.org; https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/blood-donation/about/pac-20385144)

 

[Ruslan Rynar]

Are you going to discuss the history of discrimination tied to blood donation? Who was and wasn't allowed to donate? When changes were made? Giving blood is great and needed, but it seems to me that those deciding whether or not to donate would need to know the history as well. Thoughts?

 

[Polegnyn Nemeara]

In an official SoA capacity, probably not because there are other topics we need to focus on with February around the corner. But anyone is more than welcome to research, put together, continue posting, and discuss topics related to blood donation in this thread I'd love to read what anyone has to contribute!

Eta: Actually, “… capacity, not at this time because …” is more accurate. If we focus on blood drives and donations next year, we could easily build off the information presented here.

In addition to what @Ruslan Rynar mentioned, what topics would everyone like to collaborate with the SoA team on?