INSIDE INFORMATION
BY WESLEY GARDNER
BRINGING IN BLOOD
The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, an area nonprofit that provides blood to Houston and its surrounding communities, is nearing a shortage of blood supplies for the roughly 170 hospitals it serves across 26 Texas counties. Here is a look at how blood donations are used and how residents can help.
DONOR DILEMMA
BLOOD TYPE BREAKDOWN
TRACKING TRANSFUSIONS
According to the GCRBC, the percentage of Americans who will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives greatly outweighs the percentage of Americans who donate blood.
There are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens, A and B, on the surface of red blood cells. Additionally, the presence or absence of a protein called the Rh factor determines whether the blood type is positive or negative.
Rh-negative blood can only be given to Rh-negative patients, while Rh-positive or Rh-negative blood types can be given to Rh-positive patients, meaning O- blood types can be given to all four blood groups, and patients with an AB- blood type can receive blood from all four groups.
1 in 20 people will donate blood at some point in their life. 1 in 7 people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their life.
BLOOD TYPES by percent of U.S. population
Donor
O
A
B
AB
37.4% 6.6%
+
O
-
44%
Recipient
O
A
B
AB
+
35.7% 6.3%
A
The GCRBC has 17 permanent donor centers across Southeast Texas in addition to mobile blood drives hosted across the area on a daily basis. WHERE TO DONATE?
Anyone who is age 17 or older may be eligible to donate blood. Individuals who are 16 years old may be eligible to donate with parental consent. WHO CAN DONATE? Donors who are age 19 and older must weigh at least 110 pounds. Whole-blood donors who are age 16 must weigh at least 120 pounds. Whole-blood and automated donors who are ages 17-18 and male must weigh at least 115 pounds; female donors must weigh at least 120 pounds. Donors must be in general good health without any cold or flu symptoms. Donors who have COVID-19 or a positive test for COVID-19 must wait 10 days and be
-
42%
8.5% 1.5%
+
B
-
The Blood Center-Katy 1575 S. Grand Parkway, Ste. 600, Katy 281-392-7902 Beckendorff Junior High School on March 28 8200 S. Fry Road, Katy 281-237-8825 Cross Creek Ranch on April 1 6450 Cross Creek Bend
The Fellowship on April 4 22765 Westheimer Parkway, Katy 281-395-3950 Ivy Kids Silver Ranch on April 4 2707 Spring Green Blvd., Katy 832-437-3001 KTX Fit on April 4 802 Ave. A, Katy 281-409-4959 One Star College-Cypress Center on April 5 19710 Clay Rd., Katy 832-920-5031
10%
+
3.4% 0.6%
AB
-
4%
Lane, Fulshear 281-341-8429
RH+ 85%
RH- 15%
asymptomatic prior to donating. Donors must bring a valid photo ID.
For a complete list of donation sites, visit www.commitforlife.org .
SOURCES: AMERICAN RED CROSS, GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER, STANFORD MEDICINE BLOOD CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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KATY EDITION • MARCH 2022
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