Red Cross: Type-O Negative Blood In Short Supply

KNBC-TV ^ | May 28,2005 | KNBC-TV

[exDemMom]

I believe the guidelines for blood donation come from the FDA, not any particular blood donation group.

The restrictions include having spent a minimum amount of time in England during a particular time period, living 5 years in Western Europe, or spending 2 years as a military member or dependent stationed in Western Europe.

The restrictions apply to me and my husband, because we were stationed in Spain, and to our son, because he was born there during the critical period. One staffer at a donation drive told me that about 10% of potential donors are disqualified up front.

I tell people that no one wants my blood because anyone receiving it will get mad cow disease and die, even though I remain healthy.

[Laurita]

Hmmm. This makes me wonder. I'm in the Army, stationed in Korea. I have had lots of POR vaccinations, althouth not smallpox or anthrax (yet). Would I be able to donate? The Army hasn't asked for my blood since AIT.

Also, I've heard of an organization which uses it's blood strictly for the military, does it really exist?

Finally, food for thought, in emergency situations, O+ plasma may be used when O- is not available. If the medic isn't aware that a person is O-, just one bag can kill.

[Dead Corpse]

Type O Negative?

Sorry. A+ here. Can't help you.

[MikefromOhio]

O Neg is the universal donor

AB - is the universal receptor...

I am O+

[MikefromOhio]

yeah being that I am only 4 months removed from being in Iraq right now, I can't donate until next February.

But then after that, every 6 weeks or whatever the time limit is, I will be donating. Because Red Cross or not, blood is needed....

[MikefromOhio]

Hmmm. This makes me wonder. I'm in the Army, stationed in Korea. I have had lots of POR vaccinations, althouth not smallpox or anthrax (yet). Would I be able to donate? The Army hasn't asked for my blood since AIT.

You would have to wait a year, like I have too, I believe....

As for blood for the military, you should ask your NCOIC or your company First Shirt to see if they know of anything. I believe the Army has it's own blood drive, but its probably back in the states....

[Laurita]

thanks, I'll be sure to check into it. Actually, it has been over a year, I've been here since Ap 04. The blood drives in the states (Forts Jackson and Gordon) were organized specifically by Eisenhower Med CTR on Ft Gordon. I just assumed the blood stayed with the (Army) hospital

[MikefromOhio]

yeah something like that...

I dont know what they do in Korea, but it could stay locally there too.....

[Laurita]

Hm. Not that I mind saving Korean lives, but I'd rather give to a military bloodbank. The closest US military hospital is in Seoul, I wonder if they send people down or just have drives at the local TMC? curiouser and curiouser. I will most definitely ask around on Tuesday.

[damper99]

The services conduct their own blood drives. If you live near a base, check with their hospital on donating. Red Cross blood does not go to the military unless the military buys it from the Red Cross.

I live near a Fort Knox and didn't realize that the Red Cross sold its blood to the military, until when I was at one of Fort Knox's drives and found out that information about the Red Cross.

[MikefromOhio]

yeah I would think that the military would have their own over there....

[MikefromOhio]

I know...they do it at Wright Pat, where I work, all the time....

[one of His mysterious ways]

The American Red Cross is not affiliated with the International Red Cross... they are in fact quite different organizations with very different ideologies and goals.

[Carry_Okie]

Wallaby's excellent bit of research (with plenty of "real time" cites and science embedded within) has disappeared from the FreeRepublic server.