On October 10
th the Phoenix Campus will be hosting an onsite blood drive thanks to help of United Blood Services of Phoenix and their mobile Blood Mobile! Donating blood is a great way to help those in need. In fact it’s estimated that blood transfusions save more than 4 million lives each year.
So how exactly is blood used once you donate it? Most commonly your blood will be separated into several different components so that one donation can benefit many patients. The five most common components are:
Red Blood Cells: The most frequently transfused component. Treatment of chronic anemia resulting from disorders such as kidney failure, malignancy or gastrointestinal bleeding. Congestive heart failure. Treatment to raise the hematocrit or hemoglobin levels without raising blood volume (such as with elderly patients). Replenish acute blood loss resulting from accident or surgery.
Platelets: Treatments for leukemia and other cancers. Used for conditions in which patient has a shortage of platelets or abnormal platelet function (thrombocytopenia). Learn more about Platelet Pheresis.
Plasma: The liquid portion of blood that contains proteins that help treat severe bleeding problems. Plasma isn’t transfused as often as red blood cells or platelets, so once patient needs are met, plasma can be sent to manufacturers that make other treatment products such as albumin and immune globulin.
Cryoprecipitate: A component of plasma that contains blood clotting proteins. It is used to treat or prevent bleeding and disorders such as hemophilia or von Willebrand disease. It may also be used as a hemostatic preparation in surgery.
White Blood Cells: Granulocytes are a type of white blood cell that can be collected through apheresis and used for infections that are unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.
*Sources: AABB (
AABB.org), America’s Blood Centers (
AmericasBlood.org)
To read more about blood donation and learn how you can take part in the Phoenix Campus Blood drive please visit the United Health Services website
here or contact Ms. Vivian at the Phoenix campus. The Allen School of Health Sciences is always proud to help our community through events like blood donations, fund raising, and education. To learn more about our community efforts please visit our website and read about our
Institution for HOPE Campaign.
