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The Quest To Keep The Blood Supply Flowing

(with cuts)

When it comes to blood, there is no substitute. That's why the American Red

Cross is on a never-ending vigil to collect as much as possible.

These days, blood is even more precious than ever. According to the Red Cross

in Farmington, the state needs to collect 660 units/pints of blood per day to

keep the sick people of Connecticut alive.

"We've been giving hospitals almost 580 units per day," said Stephanie Millian

of the Red Cross.

Currently, Connecticut's blood inventory is below a two-day supply.

Despite the need for blood, only about five percent of the population gives

blood on a regular basis. About 70 percent of the population is eligible to

give blood and the Red Cross is looking to increase the number of donors up to

10 or 20 percent.

"At some time in our life, half of the population will need blood," Mrs

Millian said.

On Monday, the Red Cross was at the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Department for a

blood drive sponsored by JP Maguire Associates and the Girl Scouts of Newtown.

As JP Maguire's Tim Nolan pointed out, his company restores homes damaged by

the elements, why not help restore people's lives with a blood drive?

Employees at Garner Correctional Institution in Newtown gave blood at a drive

last Friday.

Separating The Blood

According to the Red Cross, more than 95 percent of all blood collected is

separated into various components. Each of these components meets a different

medical need. Surgery patients will use the blood cells and cancer patients or

bone marrow recipients need platelets to prevent hemorrhaging. These fragile

components last for only five days, so it is important to have all types on

hand at all times to meet patient need.

The Red Cross says patients need as many as six to ten donors for every

transfusion.

Patients suffering burns, shock, or dehydration need plasma. Plasma products

are used to fight infection or replace clotting factors for patients with

hemophilia. A single transfusion for a patient with hemophilia can require

hundreds of volunteer blood donors.

Did you know that open heart surgery patients require 30 or more units of

platelets? Burn victims require as many as 100 units of platelets and cancer

patients often require transfusions of 12-20 units of platelets.

One pint of blood can be used to save the lives of up to four people.

According to the Red Cross, it takes about 56 days for a person to regenerate

his or her blood supply after donating blood. Some dedicated donors come back

every 56 days.

According to Mrs Millian, whole blood donations are usable for only 35 days,

red blood cells for 42 days and platelets for just five days. Frozen plasma

has a shelf-life of one year.

Donors can not acquire HIV from giving blood, the Red Cross said.

The following are the top ten reasons why people do not give blood:

1. never asked face-to-face

2. scared of needles

3. no blood to spare [10-12 pints in body]

4. wouldn't want blood because of illness I've had

5. too old

6. already gave this year

7. they'll take too much

8. rare blood type, give only when special need

9. my blood isn't rich enough

10. I didn't realize it was needed.