Cancer Awareness and Blood Donation

[Granny_Weatherwax]

It's Breast Cancer Awareness month.

 

I have an ongoing challenge for those of us who so far have escaped the turmoil, the fear, the fight - I challenge you to donate blood. 17% of donated blood is used to treat cancer patients.

 

You could literally save someone's life, ease their burden, and give them the strength to make it through the next round of treatment.

 

It takes an hour to donate whole blood (can donate every 56 days). It takes two hours to donate platelets (can donate every 2 weeks).

Look up your local Red Cross chapter or blood donation centers. 

 

Needs are at critical levels and YOU can make a difference.

 

I recently made the decision to donate platelets. I was shocked to learn that platelet donations are in such demand that my platelets are literally spoken for as they are being processed and given to a recipient within 24 hours. Platelets must be used within 5 days and the need is constant.

 

https://www.redcrossblood.org/?fbclid=IwAR3osD7DpkSz-SvBh1c5FYVp3bmPYFXpvknLzzDCEtFigrz-0i3V3JQRa0w

[Melissa Louise]

I'm not allowed to donate, sadly, because I lived in the UK during the whole 'mad cow' thing. 

 

[Pawz4me]

I've always wanted to donate but have always been unable to for one or more reasons (weight and medication at various times, and always a hemoglobin that's too low). I wish I could, but I think it's unlikely my hemoglobin will ever be high enough.

[plansrme]

I donated platelets for a while when a friend's son had leukemia and explained how vital they were. Then a friend of mine also got (and eventually died from) leukemia, and she also benefited from platelets. But if you've never donated platelets, read up first on what it involves. Giving whole blood is a piece of cake compared to platelets. Platelets requires needles in both arms, so you can't move, for two hours. You can set up a movie (you can take your own DVD, or there is a library to choose from), and that helps pass the time, but donating platelets is hard. I am always wiped out afterwards. Some people have terrible chills; my lips went numb; there are a host of weird potential side effects. I haven't donated since our local office started requiring masks. No way I can sit there in a mask for 2 hours with my arms strapped down. But if you can, you should give it a try.

[Granny_Weatherwax]

@plansrme Thank you for having donated. Can you consider a whole blood donation while masking? It takes so much less time and whole blood is still in great demand.

I wonder which method of donating your collection center does for platelets. I only have one needle and the apheresis machine cycles back and forth between collection and return. I always have a free arm to use for reading, scrolling on the Kindle, eating, and drinking. The center has new chairs with tv screens attached to the foot and an ear phone jack so I can watch whatever I want (so far the Tennis Channel) and not disturb anyone. I am given a small pile of Tums to help with the lip tingling. I also have never felt tired after platelet donation because the oxygenated red blood cells are returned. It's completely different after a double red donation; that kicks my rear end and requires a full day of binge watching a good show and lots of snacking.

In my area coagulant donation requires two needles, one for the draw and one for the return. The donor must be a frequent platelet donor (used to the long procedure). Coagulants are drawn on an as needed basis and requires 24 hours prep time. This is the least common donation and donor names are needed for the registry but the donor pool is small since only platelet donors can give coagulants.