Students Against Drunk Driving Sponsors Central Illinois Blood Drive
October 21, 2011
| Students Against Drunk Driving Sponsors Central Illinois Blood Drive |
| 56 Blood Facts Source: America's Blood Centers |
| Friday October 21, 2011 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM High School Gymnasium  Call Alisha Duenas to make an appointment 625-2471 Ext. 209 If you don't reach Alisha... Leave your name and number and a short message... She will get back to you as soon as possible! |
Click Here To Make An Appointment Online! |
Click here to visit the
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Blood... |
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Why Donate Blood... |
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please if you have never donated...
Join us and become a "Life Saver"...
A Blood Donor!!
If you have donated before...
We hope you visit us on April 17th
to continue being a "Life Saver"!
We hope you will become a part of helping build our blood supply for our local hospitals!
FrequentlyAsked Questions... |
Are there age limits
for blood donors?
17 Years
is the minimum
blood donor age
in Illinois
OR
Age 16 with a Signed Parent’s Permission Form!
| Click here to print a Parental Consent Form Parental Consent Form |
How long does it take to give blood?
The process for whole blood donation usually takes about one hour. The blood collection itself is usually about ten minutes. The donation process includes registration, a brief medical screening, blood collection and refreshments. Expect to spend about two hours for apheresis (platelet) collections.
How much blood is taken?
Whole blood and apheresis (platelet) donations are about one pint. One pint is roughly equal to one pound.
How often can I give?
Donate whole blood every 56 days. Red blood cells are the oxygen carrying cells. They can take two weeks or longer to fully return to normal.
You can donate platelets (apheresis donation) as much as twice in one week -- or up to 24 times per year. Platelet and plasma components are replaced in the body more quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels within a few hours of donating. Plasma, the watery substance of your blood, takes a couple of days.
What are platelets?
Platelets are tiny cell fragments that circulate throughout the blood and aid in blood clotting. Platelets are also known as thrombocytes.
How much blood do I have in my body?
Women have about ten pints, and men about 12 pints of blood in their bodies.
Is it safe to give blood?
Yes. Donating blood is very safe. You cannot get HIV or any other infections from donating blood.
Is it safe to receive blood?
Yes. The blood supply is the safest it's ever been, especially since the implementation of NAT testing under an FDA-sponsored research protocol. NAT is a new, more sensitive gene-based test to screen the blood supply for HIV and Hepatitis C. Fourteen tests are performed on every unit of donated blood. Eleven of these are for infectious diseases.
General safety procedures are also in place: blood donor eligibility standards, individual screening, laboratory testing, and donor record checks.
What is the universal blood type?
Type O negative is the universal donor and can give red blood cells to 100% of the patients needing red blood cell transfusions. 8% of the U. S. population has blood type O negative. O positive donors (38%) can give to all Rh positive blood groups, i.e., A+, B+, O+ and AB+ blood groups (85% of patients needing transfusions.)
AB positive is the universal recipient and can receive blood from any other blood type. 2.5% of the U.S. population has blood type AB positive. In addition, AB donors can give their plasma containing products (fresh frozen plasma, platelets, pheresis, and cyroprecipitate to all blood types (100% of patients needing platelet transfusions.)
Type O negative is the universal donor and can give blood to any other blood type. 8% of the U.S. population has blood type O negative.
AB positive is the universal recipient and can receive blood from any other blood type. 2.5% of the U.S. population has blood type AB positive.
How long until my blood is used?
All blood donations are processed and available for use between 24 and 48 hours. Whole blood is processed into components (red cells, platelets, plasma). After processing, the red cells can be stored for 42 days. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to 12 months. Platelets (from whole blood or by apheresis) expire after five days.
Are the health history questions necessary every time?
Yes. Screening questions must be asked of all donors at each donation. This is an FDA requirement that helps blood centers ensure the safest possible blood supply.
Why do blood shortages occur?
A three-day supply is the optimum blood inventory level. The inventory changes hourly due to unpredictable demands from trauma incidents. When the supply drops below a three-day level, blood centers begin alerting local donors to increase the inventory to a safe operating level.
SOURCE: America’s Blood Centers
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