Northwest Austin Edition | June 2022

INSIDE INFORMATION

BRINGING IN BLOOD

COMPILED BY WESLEY GARDNER & BRIAN RASH

We Are Blood serves more than 40 medical facilities throughout Central Texas in an area that includes Travis and Williamson counties. Originally founded as the Travis County Medical Society Blood Bank in 1951, We Are Blood continues to oer a wide range of patient and clinical services.

DONOR DILEMMA

BLOOD TYPE BREAKDOWN

TRACKING TRANSFUSIONS

According to information from We Are Blood, 200 donations are needed daily to maintain a safe supply. Community blood supply is usually just a few days worth before the total blood supply runs out.

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

37.4% 6.6%

44%

Recipient

35.7% 6.3%

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 17 and older must weigh at least 115 pounds. Donors who are age 17 and older must weigh at least 110 pounds for platelet donations. In many cases, people may donate even if they have had long term illnesses including cancer and diabetes. Donors must be in general good health without any cold or u symptoms. Donors who have COVID-19 or a positive test for COVID-19 must wait 10 days and be

42%

We Are Blood oers three donation locations in Williamson and Travis counties, with another location coming soon in Cedar Park. However, the nonprot serves residents throughout Central Texas. Cedar Park donor center (coming in June) 251 N. Bell Blvd., Ste. 111A, Cedar Park North Lamar donor center 4300 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin 512-206-1266 For the schedule of the We Are Blood mobile donation center, visit https://weareblood.org/donor/ 512-206-1266 South Austin donor center 3100 W. Slaughter Lane, Austin 512-206-1266 Round Rock donor center 2132 N. Mays St., Ste. 900, Round Rock

8.5% 1.5%

10%

3.4% 0.6%

RH+ 85%

RH- 15%

asymptomatic prior to donating. Donors must bring a valid photo ID.

For more information on We Are Blood, visit https://weareblood.org .

SOURCES: AMERICAN RED CROSS, STANFORD MEDICINE BLOOD CENTER, WE ARE BLOODCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

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