Type O Blood Donors Badly Needed

DoD ^ | 8/06/03 | Special to American Forces Press Service

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Type O Blood Donors Badly Needed

Special to American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2003 – The Armed Services Blood Program needs eligible Type O blood donors to support ongoing military operations worldwide and to replenish the military's frozen blood reserves.

"Type O donors are the first line of defense for trauma victims. Until a blood type can be verified, Type O blood is used to keep trauma victims alive," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ruth Sylvester, Armed Services Blood Program director. "Once their blood type is determined, type-specific blood is transfused. But without Type O blood available, many patients would never make it until the test results came back."

A single battlefield injury victim can require more than 40 units of blood in an emergency. Type O donors are especially important to readiness because their blood can be transfused safely for all blood types, especially in remote areas where it's not possible to test for blood type.

The Armed Services Blood Program also needs Type O blood to maintain its frozen blood reserve. The military maintains a supply of frozen red blood cells to use when fresh blood is not immediately available. Since frozen blood can be safely stored for up to 10 years, it ensures that blood is always readily available to meet the military's needs worldwide.

Extending the shelf life of blood from 42 days (for liquid red cells) to 10 years in strategic locations enables the blood program to make frozen blood available until the supply of liquid blood begins to flow. But storage requirements and thawing equipment needed to use frozen blood prevent it from being used everywhere.

Making the present need more acute is that the military blood donor centers can only collect blood from active duty service members, government employees, retirees and military family members. That excludes many Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, who are deferred from donating for one year because they served in areas where malaria is endemic. This makes regular donations from eligible donors critical.

"We're always thankful to our donors," Sylvester said. "We know that blood donations save lives every day. Repeat donors and those who ask that we call them when their blood type is needed help ensure we have a consistent supply of all blood types. They're literally lifesavers when an urgent need arises."

Blood program officials encourage potential donors or those who could sponsor a group blood drive to contact their local military blood collection facility.

(Based on a release from Army Surgeon General's office, executive agent for the Armed Services Blood Program.)

[Tony Niar Brain]

Dang, beat me to it.

I saw this article, but they do not have one of these ASPB centers where I live. I have type O+ blood, and _really_ need to suck it up and give blood. Fear has stopped me before, but I need to get over the needle and the sense of being drained. But, if that's the worst thing that happens to me, I should think that I am lucky. I'm not over in Iraq in constant fear of getting picked off.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Making the present need more acute is that the military blood donor centers can only collect blood from active duty service members, government employees, retirees and military family members.

I guess my private sector 0 negative isn't good enough for Uncle Sam. I received my gallon pin from the Red Cross years ago but I haven't bled for them since I discovered how much they charged for my donation and how much Elizabeth Dole was grossing from it. As far as I am concerned, they can either give it away without all the overhead or they can compensate me for my time. It's a shame too, this blood cow has plenty to spare.

[lilylangtree]

Forwarded the release to a relative who donates blood and has type O positive.

[jpthomas]

I'm blood type O+, and I donated blood regularly while on active duty and for a few years after retiring from the Air Force. Unfortunately, because I was stationed in Europe in 1988-1990, I am no longer eligible to donate blood under guidelines enacted about two years ago. I think it has something to do with concerns about Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, the human analog to Mad Cow disease. I think they're being overly cautious, but unless they relax these guidelines, I, and a lot of military who were stationed in Europe in the 1980s, are no longer eligible to donate blood.

[Joe Boucher]

I am O+ and where to donate here in Florida. Instead of donating to the local blood mobile I'd gladly give as often as possible to the military if there was
a place close by. I live in Port St. Lucie Florida. There is a V.A. Hospital in W. Palm about an hour south. Any info
on where I might go to help and give blood??????

[FreeTheHostages]

Sir, just check the hyperlink to the program on the main post -- that includes locations.

[ChemistCat]

I'm O+ but we were stationed in Germany for four years so they will not let me donate. Darn it. I think it's absurd and paranoid to refuse me since many of the recipients have likewise been in Europe. There's no risk quite like not having enough blood when you're hurt.

[snopercod]

Blood donor trivia: I had a very painful ingrown toenail at one time - I could hardly walk on that foot. I donated a pint of blood and the pain went away completely and the toe healed up.

I guess there is something to the medieval practice of blood letting.

[ErnBatavia]

I donate with some regularity (type A+)...one thing I've learned is that it's actually beneficial for males to give blood - something to do with depleting excess iron, which is a good thing apparently.

That, and the fact that the Red Cross does several hundreds of dollars (retail value, I'm sure) of testing on your donation, and you ARE notified if any serious health problems are noted. One clerk there told me that many donors give blood just for this reason - in lieu of getting a physical exam.

[Mannaggia l'America]

I've never given blood - and I have no idea what my blood type is.

The Red Cross is having a blood drive at my office next week. If I give blood, will they tell me my blood type?

[LexBaird]

Here's a question for y'all. I am type O-, the most desired type. I had hepatitus B twenty-five years ago, at age 15. Am I still ineligable to donate blood?

[DeSoto]

I believe that you are right about it being a healthy practice for males to donate blood. I donated nearly 5 gallons to the Red Cross and saw my cholesterol drop sharply without any major lifestyle changes.

After 9/11 and witnessing how much money donated to the victims was stolen by these 'people', money stolen from widows and orphans no less, I have not given another drop of blood.

What also sealed the RC deal for me was when is was publicized here on FR that the RC would not allow "God Bless America" sang at one of their awards ceremonies, and at that same ceremony, a patriotic high school skit concerning the Declaration of Independence was forbidden because the Declaration was "too controversial of a document".

Since then I have not donated and have looked for alternative sites to donate. There is an alternative about 100 miles away. But driving 200 miles to donate is difficult to justify. The nearest site listed to help the arm forces is over 200 miles away. I wish that more people would quit donating to the RC and force alternatives to that corrupt organization

[Ronaldus Magnus]

I'll have to try that the next time I have a bad ingrown nail!

[cibco]

"If I give blood, will they tell me my blood type?"

Naw... it's a secret.

[Maelstrom]

If you ask.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Wow. My faucet sprung a leak and I come back to all these great Freeper questions and comments.

Yes. They'll tell you your blood type (may require a few weeks), blood pressure, ask about your travel and medical history. The questions are rather personal - by law - whether you've ever been paid for sex, been in jail. Then they will probably shower you with affection for having the courage to come in for the first time as an adult. It's a breeze. All together it takes about an hour.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Tony, you are so not alone. Tell the nurses. They're great - and they've seen everything. We had one sweet woman who came and stayed a little longer every few months until she finally felt comfortable enough to stay. The nurses spoiled her. (^:

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks for the gallon.

When the Red Cross behaves badly, the good blood centers and hospitals suffer. Have you checked with your local hospitals? Our local blood center isn't affiliated with the Red Cross. You can even tell some blood centers where you want your blood to go.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

I think it's absurd and paranoid to refuse me since many of the recipients have likewise been in Europe.

Very good point.

Mad Cow disease really hurt the blood centers - that and aids. Just being on a cruise ship that pulls into certain ports can prevent a donor from giving for a year.