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Blood banks face big challengesBY RONALD A. SACHER | GUEST COLUMNIST Cincinnati Enquirer Sunday, February 4, 2007 The blood supply for our community is at a critical crossroads. Five years after 9/11, the social altruism of rolling up your sleeves to donate blood is beginning to wane. Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati is facing a seemingly uphill battle: the demand for blood at our area's hospitals and medical centers is outpacing the supply of eligible volunteer donors. National statistics suggest that only 5 percent of eligible people (65 percent of the population) give blood regularly. The proof is the headlines. No doubt you've recently heard that Hoxworth is "in need of blood." It may have been on a television or radio newscast or in a newspaper article, or you may have received a phone call from Hoxworth indicating there is a shortage of your blood type. The real issue here is not about blood shortages. There is plenty of blood in Cincinnati. It's about donor shortages. There is a critical shortage of healthy volunteer blood donors who understand the importance of giving blood and are willing to take an hour out of their busy day to help someone in need. A recent news story from the Associated Press ("Gender makes a difference in blood donors," Jan. 25) indicated that plasma transfused into victims of burns, car crashes and other serious conditions soon will come almost completely from men. This is in response to a serious medical condition called TRALI, or "transfusion-related acute lung injury," which occurs more frequently when plasma from females is used for transfusion. What does this mean for female blood donors? Will they be turned away? Absolutely not. Hoxworth personnel are the experts in blood collection and have implemented new technologies to enhance blood collection based on the current needs of patients at our local hospitals. We customize the blood components that we provide to the 28 hospitals in the Tristate area. The issue of TRALI brings to light a very significant challenge for Hoxworth: In an effort to make the blood supply even safer, health regulations restrict more and more people from giving blood. Hoxworth, like most enterprises in today's economy, is forced to do more with less. How can we make a difference? It's the community's responsibility to support the blood supply. Every company, school, business, church and community group should either host a blood drive or encourage members to give blood regularly. It's safe and easy, and there is no substitute for the generous gift of a blood donation to a patient in need.
How to donate:
• Age: At least 17 years old and in good general health. There is no upper age limit. • Weight: Minimum of 110 pounds. • Identification: Must provide photo I.D. • Food: Eat a good meal within four hours before giving. • Drink: Drink plenty of water or juice before and after donating. Hoxworth operates donation centers in Anderson, Blue Ash, UC, Downtown, Ft. Mitchell, Ft. Thomas, Mason, Tri-County and Western Hills. Operating days and hours vary with each center. Hoxworth Blood Center at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center needs to collect from 350 volunteer blood donors and 40 volunteer platelet donors each day to keep up with the demands of tri-state hospitals and their patients. Hoxworth, founded in 1938, serves 28 hospitals in 17 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects over 94,000 units of blood from local volunteer donors. -###- comments@hoxworth.org
Copyright © 2006 Hoxworth Blood Center |
Member: America's
Blood Centers |
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