Giving Back Spotlight: Why Give Blood?

Lola MagazineCommunity, Lola Shreveport

One of every seven people who enter the hospital will need blood. That person maybe you, your loved one, friend, or co-worker. With all the wonderful advances in modern medicine, there still is NO substitute for human blood. The blood that helps patients comes only from caring people who volunteer to help others by donating their life-saving blood.

In the short time it took to read the above paragraph, 11 people needed blood. Will you help?

Who Needs Blood? >> LifeShare must collect approximately 500 units a day to meet patients’ blood needs throughout our communities. Volunteer blood donors are the source and lifeline of hope for these patients.

How Different Types of Donations Help Patients >> Based on your blood type and patient needs, giving the right type of blood donation helps ensure the best use of your life-saving gift.

Whole Blood Donation >> Whole blood donations are the oldest and most traditional type of donation. Whole blood is transfused to help patients when separated into its specific components of red cells, platelets, and plasma.

Patients helped: This procedure helps patients who undergo surgery or trauma.

Total time: About 1 hour

Donation time: 15 minutes or less

How often can you donate? Every 56 days

Super Red Or Double Red Cell Donation >> Power red donations improve safety for patients and donors. A smaller needle is used in the automated process and results in only the donation of red blood cells — the most needed blood component. The donor loses less blood overall and the patient receives two doses of red cells from the same donor.

Patients helped: This procedure helps pediatric patients, trauma or surgery patients, and people with severe anemia.

Needed Blood Types: O-, O+, B+, & B-

Total time: About 1 hour and 15 minutes

Donation time: About 30 minutes

How often can you donate? Every 112 days—up to three times a year

Platelet Donation >> Platelets are the cells that circulate within our blood and bind together when they recognize damaged blood cells. Platelets can only be donated at a LifeShare donor center. Donors who give platelets do not give red cells during the donation process. Platelet donors are frequently needed because the shelf-life for platelets is only a few days (some of our platelets are becoming 7 and 14 day products)

Patients helped: Patients with blood disorders, open heart surgery, organ transplant, and cancer patients.

Needed Blood Types: A+, A-, B+, AB+, & AB

Total time: About 2 to 2.5 hours

Donation time: 1.5 to 2 hours

How often can you donate? Every seven days, or up to 24 times a year

Plasma Donation >> Plasma is the liquid component of blood and transports cells, proteins, hormones, and vitamins. Your plasma contains proteins which defend our bodies against invaders and help blood to clot.

Patients helped: Patients with severe
burns, clotting disorders, or in shock.

Needed Blood Types: AB+ & AB-

Total time: About 1.5 to 2 hours

Donation time: 30-45 minutes

How often can you donate? Every 28 days, or up to 13 times a year.