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Donations of blood platelets are even more in demand than whole blood in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, officials said.
It’s a request as common as clean-up crews after a storm: Please give blood.
And, indeed, disaster officials have been urging potential donors to step up to replenish East Coast supplies disrupted by superstorm Sandy.
“Patients will still need blood despite the weather,” said Dr. Richard Benjamin, chief medical officer of the American Red Cross. “It is critical that those in unaffected areas make an appointment to donate blood as soon as possible.”
Sandy's aftermath: How you can help
But what’s also true is that certain blood donors are more sought-after than others, particularly the relatively tiny group of people who donate the most perishable of blood components, the platelets.
“Red blood cells? We’re in good shape. Platelet donors? Call your local facility,” said Dr. Louis Katz, executive vice president of America’s Blood Centers.
Katz and officials with the Red Cross say the highest demand in the days after the giant storm that struck the Eastern seaboard will be for platelets, the tiny, colorless cell fragments involved in blood clotting. At least 300 blood drives have been canceled in 14 states in Sandy's wake, resulting in a shortfall so far of some 10,700 units of blood and platelets, agency officials said.
Platelets are critical for cancer patients and others who require bone marrow and stem cell transplants, Katz said. Those patients need regular treatments, storm or no storm.
Stored at room temperature, platelets have a shelf life of just five days, compared with the 42 days of refrigerated red blood cells.
So far, supplies of whole blood and platelets have held steady in hard-hit New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, thanks in part to the distribution system that shuttles blood efficiently from one part of the nation to the other.
“The networks that move blood are well-coordinated and well-practiced,” Katz said.
Already, supplies of platelets have been shipped to Sandy-stricken hospitals and blood centers from as far away as the West Coast, said Stephanie Millian, a Red Cross spokeswoman.
But more donations are needed now, officials said. Platelet donors make up only about 3 percent of total donors, said Millian. The AABB, the American blood bank association, says that nearly 11 million volunteers give about 17 million units of blood and blood components each year.
There’s not a shortage of platelets in the storm-stricken region, but there is a need, particularly for rare type AB donors. They make up only 4 percent of the US population, but their plasma, for instance, can be used in anyone.
Donating platelets takes longer than donating whole blood, 2 hours compared with 45 minutes, Katz estimated. But it's just as painless and one platelet donation can provide enough for a full therapeutic dose for a patient in need, the Red Cross says. By contrast, it can take four to six whole blood donations to produce one dose of platelets.
Platelet donors usually know who they are. Because they can give 24 times a year, compared with the six times a year for whole blood, they’re often popular at blood centers, especially after disasters.
“Anybody can volunteer to be a platelet donor,” said Millian. Those interested should call the closest blood center to inquire.
Related stories:
- Super blood donors could be tapped in a disaster
- Blood glut in a disaster: Too much of a good thing?
- How hurricanes kill -- it's not always what you think
Leave a Comment:
Right on.... I've been a platelet donor for the last 10 years.... they "love" me... I'm "large" and have 2x the number of platelets that "normal" people do.. so they can tap me for 2 units.... It's strange, my mom had almost no platelets.. I'm fortunate that my employer allows me to be 1 hour late to work every other week (I give 24 times per year which is the max allowed by the government).... So I can give in 44 minutes.... give or take.. Most "normal" people take 78 minutes... which can be kind of long... but anyone who can give blood should try platelets.. I'm up to 50 gallons or so... Got started in it when my best friend died of cancer and the blood center asked if I'd consider giving platelets rather than whole blood, so it's sort of my way of remembering Wayne....
You are a hero Kevin! How many lives might you have saved??? Humbling to think about...
The article states that a person with type AB blood is the universal donor but type O is the universal donor. A person with type AB blood is the universal recipient.
What you are referring to Cyril, is whole blood.. The article had switched over to the subject of plasma, in which it is accurate that AB plasma donors can give to any blood type...The whole blood of AB donors is actually less desirabe because it can only be transfused into other AB blood types...
I've been a platelet donor for a few years now, and, with the exception of a couple of times, have always donated a "triple" batch of platelets. My younger 2 kids (15 year old boy and 12 year old girl) have both come with me on various occasions, and can't wait to turn 16 so that they can start to donate both whole blood and platelets as well. (My 15 year old would love to donate now, but I've told him he still has to wait a year, now that the Red Cross has lowered the official "donating" age from 17 to 16). They aren't squeamish to the sight of the blood or platelets, and they know all the good that can come from the donations. I figure, by exposing them to what happens when I donate, they're more willing to help out when they're able to! :)
Ever since the Red Cross' 911 scams were revealed I've been very leery of these sorts of calls.
I'm s platelet donor - it's easy - bring a book or they have movies there - which I never watch - it's a good thing to do - really helps - Go DryCast.com!
I thought the American Red Cross was AGAINST Individual Donations!!
"Unfortunately, due to logistical constraints the Red Cross does not accept or solicit individual donations or collections of items. Items such as collected food, used clothing and shoes must be sorted, cleaned, repackaged and transported which impedes the valuable resources of money, time, and personnel."
Where is Mika or Andrea now?? Isn't this promoting the hindering and impeding of recovery efforts?
BTW!
“Because the devastation in Staten Island, the lack of a response,” Mr. Molinaro said to explain his comment to NBC after the press conference. “You know, I went to a shelter Monday night after the storm. People were coming in with no socks, with no shoes. They were in desperate need. Their housing was destroyed. They were crying. Where was the Red Cross? Isn’t that their function? They collect millions of dollars. Whenever there’s a drive in Staten Island, we give openly and honestly. Where are they? Where are they? I was at the South Shore yesterday, people were buried in their homes. There the dogs are trying to find bodies. The people there, the neighbors who had no electricity, were making soup. Making soup. It’s very emotional because the lack of a response. The lack of a response. They’re supposed to be here….They should be on the front lines fighting, and helping the people.”
But, But, But!!!
I thought the American Red Cross was a PRIVATE organization.
Why hasn't anyone contacted FEMA for the much needed blood/platletts??
MSNBC, where you at on this?
I used to give blood two or three times a year. Then they changed the rules and said that because I lived in Turkey in 1983 (serving my country) that I can no longer give blood. Twenty nine years later and I'm still not frothing at the mouth from Mad Cow disease. How many other military members and veterans can't give blood because of where they were stationed. Do you think maybe they could come up with a way to test for it so they wouldn't always be begging for blood?
There is a test being developed for mad cow disease. Right now the only way to find it is through a brain biopsy. When it comes to the blood supply, there is always an abundance of caution and should be because patients who are getting blood are usually very ill and are more vulnerable to infection (not that anyone, sick or well, could fight off mad cow!) If the rules change, I hope you'll consider becoming a blood donor again.
The Red Cross is not the only place you can donate blood, America's Blood Centers represent community blood centers that are local or regional--check out their website for places to donate. Thank you to all the blood donors out there!
New York Blood Center (NYBC) is a member of America's Blood Centers. Actually, the only member collecting blood in New York City and much of New York state. NYBC is opening additional donor centers and scheduling additional drives for blood and blood platelet donations, as it urges all donors to help keep the blood supply flowing in the aftermath of the cataclysmic Hurricane Sandy.
Donors are urged to go to www.nybloodcenter.org to find a convenient donor center or blood drive.
Here's is the link to their latest press release: