ARC seeks whole blood donations

Red Cross information

“Maximize me” could be a new mantra for people giving the gift of life through the American Red Cross.

“It’s human nature to want to make the most of things,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “At the American Red Cross, we want to help our blood donors maximize their donation by recommending donation options that best meet hospital and patient needs.”

Whole blood donations typically yield three main components: red cells, platelets and plasma. Medical professionals may prescribe transfusions of particular blood components to treat specific patient needs. Patients experiencing chronic blood loss, surgeries, anemia or trauma may need red cells. Cancer patients frequently need platelets. Patients in shock, with serious burns, or with some blood or immune disorders may need plasma.

Blood type can play an important role in meeting patient demand for certain blood products. For instance, most patients can receive red cells from type O donors, while most patients can receive plasma from type AB donors.

“Whole blood is rarely transfused as an individual unit,” said Whitman. “Collecting blood components based on blood type can be extremely helpful in meeting hospital demand.”

Donors can give whole blood, double red cells, and platelets and plasma through particular donation procedures. Since type O and B red cells are in high demand, donors with those blood types may be asked to give double red cells. And since demand is high for type A and AB platelets and plasma, type A and AB donors may be asked to give these components.

“Our goal is to find the donation procedure that’s the best fit for you and for hospital patients,” said Whitman. “The main point to remember is this: whatever your blood type and whatever way you chose to give, someone needs you.”

Area Red Cross blood drives

Friday, August 31, from noon until 6 p.m. in the Van Wert County Hospital Wellness Center conference room, 140 Fox Road in Van Wert.