{"id":14670,"date":"2021-12-23T14:45:47","date_gmt":"2021-12-23T20:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=14670"},"modified":"2021-12-23T08:54:36","modified_gmt":"2021-12-23T14:54:36","slug":"blood-donation-a-call-to-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/blood-donation-a-call-to-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Blood donation: A call to action"},"content":{"rendered":"

We have entered a dangerous time. Our national health care system is being pushed to its limits. We urgently need blood donations on a local and national level. Blood cannot be manufactured or replicated. Donations are the only way for us to maintain our supply.<\/p>\n

Stephanie Heubi, manager for Laboratory Services for OSF HealthCare, is asking everyone to do their part and donate blood.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur need for blood never ends. Pandemics, busy schedules or fear of the donation process, nothing stops the need for continued blood donations,\u201d Stephanie said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd while during different times of the year we traditionally see drops in donations, the pandemic has magnified those declines. That\u2019s problematic because the number of emergent and medical conditions that require a blood transfusion remains consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n

How much do we need?<\/h2>\n

Did you know that one person in a severe traffic accident could need up to 100 units of blood? Or, as a nation, we use around 36,000 units of blood a day?<\/p>\n

\u201cWe use and need blood readily available to all local area hospitals. Currently, about 7 million volunteers donate about 13.5 million units of blood a year across the nation. But if we are going to stay ahead of the curve in our area, it is vital for all eligible community members to donate,\u201d Stephanie said.<\/p>\n

Each donation is safe and can help several people<\/h2>\n

Each unit of blood is tested and broken down into components. The components are plasma, platelets and red blood cells. Because blood can be separated into components, one unit of blood and its parts may be transfused to several people, depending on what part of the blood they need.<\/p>\n

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\u201cTo ensure the blood donations are safe, the donated blood is tested for blood type and numerous infectious diseases. The blood is also leukocyte-reduced, which reduces the possibility of the recipient from reacting,\u201d Stephanie said.<\/p>\n

There are four main types of blood \u2013 A, B, AB and O. ImpactLife<\/a>, the main blood supplier for OSF HealthCare, specifically has an ongoing need for any type O donors, those who are Rh-negative and platelets.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone can receive type O blood during an emergency regardless of what blood type they are. So when a person has been in an accident, we can give them type O until we figure out their blood type. If you are type O, we need you.\u201d Stephanie said. \u201cPlatelets are what causes our blood to clot, helping to slow, and eventually stop, bleeding. Platelets are vital in the care of our oncology patients, in cardiac and surgery cases, and emergent situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Who can donate?<\/h2>\n

Volunteer blood donors must meet specific criteria. These include:<\/p>\n