Save Three Lives by Donating Blood!
by Dr. Jorge Rios

Yes, you can save three lives by donating blood. The American Red Cross Blood Services invites all members of the Hispanic community to donate blood. The process of donating blood is safe and only takes one hour. Each blood donation is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets, and the lives of up to three patients can be saved from just one donation.

Every day the American Red Cross provides more than 25,000 blood components to hospitals across the U.S. The red blood cells can be used to treat anemia in accident victims. Physicians can use platelets and plasma to prevent bleeding in cancer patients as well as in patients with fractures. The demand for blood components has grown due to the increase in the population and in the number of heart and orthopedic surgeries taking place. For example, during hip surgery a patient may need 1-2 units of red blood cells while a trauma patient may need up to 20 units of blood.

The process of donating blood is simple. You will be asked to provide us with your name, address, and date of birth (providing a social security number is optional). Next, you will be asked general information about your health. Afterwards, a Red Cross collections staff member will take your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. The level of hemoglobin in your blood will also be tested. Each blood donation is collected using a single-use, sterile needle. You can not get HIV/AIDS or hepatitis by donating blood. The actual blood collection process takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and one pint of blood is collected. Finally, blood donors are encouraged to spend time drinking fluids to replenish their blood volume.

Two days after the donation the various blood components are ready to be used for patients in area hospitals. Because there is no substitute for blood, the Red Cross asks the Hispanic community to consider donating blood frequently. You can donate blood every 56 days (8 weeks).

Some of the blood donation requirements are:

• Being at least 17 years of age. There is no upper age limit.
• Weighing at least 110 lb.
• Not having any risk factors for HIV or hepatitis.
• Not being exposed to malaria.
  o People who have traveled to areas with malaria are asked to wait one year after their return to the U.S. before donating blood.
  o People who have moved to the U.S. from countries with malaria are asked to wait three years before donating blood.
  o There is no malaria in Cuba, Puerto Rico, the United States, Canada, or Spain.
  o Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela all have areas with malaria.
• No travel and/or residence in the United Kingdom for more than three months between 1980 and 1996.
• No travel and/or residence in certain European countries for more than five years from 1980 to present.

Dr. Jorge Rios is the Associate Medical Director of the New England Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services

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