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
Donor
O
A
B
AB
37.4% 6.6%
+
O
-
44% of U.S. population
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. Pearland Neighborhood Donor Center 9223 W. Broadway St., Ste. 119, Pearland 713-436-7722 First Baptist Church - Friendswood on March 16 202 E. Heritage Drive, 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% of U.S. population
8.5% 1.5%
+
B
-
832-406-7350 The Harbor on March 27 2821 W. Parkwood Ave., Friendswood 281-388-3500 Southeast Church of Christ on March 27 2400 W. Bay Area Blvd., Friendswood 281-992-2168 St. Helen Catholic Church on March 27 2209 Old Alvin Road, Pearland 281-485-2421
10% of U.S. population
+
3.4% 0.6%
AB
-
4% of U.S. population
Friendswood 281-482-7573 PJ’s Pearland on March 18 12640 Broadway St., Pearland For a complete list of donation sites, visit www.commitforlife.org .
RH+ 85%
RH- 15%
asymptomatic prior to donating. Donors must bring a valid photo ID.
SOURCES: AMERICAN RED CROSS, GULF COAST REGIONAL BLOOD CENTER, STANFORD MEDICINE BLOOD CENTER/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
“See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” - Revelation 5:5
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PEARLAND - FRIENDSWOOD EDITION • MARCH 2022
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