Partner Agency

How Safe Is It?

The American Red Cross has a rigorous quality assurance program to ensure the safety of the blood supply. Many precautions are taken:

•Only healthy people can donate blood.
•Every blood donation goes through six tests.
•Any unit of blood that tests positive for AIDS, hepatitis and/or syphilis is not transfused!
•A new sterile needle and plastic bag is used to collect the blood. Both are used only once!
•Every unit donated is carefully matched to a patient whose own blood is compatible.

Umbilical Cord Blood Donation

Umbilical cord blood remains in the placenta after a baby is born and is normally discarded. It contains “stem cells" which can be used to replace blood-forming cells in children and adults being treated for cancer or other life-threatening diseases.

•Blood is collected from the placenta and umbilical cord after the baby is born.
•It does not involve any procedure directly to the baby.
•Can be used in bone marrow transplants.

The Need For Blood Never Ceases

The provision of an adequate blood supply is a responsibility shared by our entire Greater Williamsburg Area community. That way, when you, your family or friends need blood –it’s there.

The Colonial Virginia Chapter of the American Red Cross is recognized as the “Premier Chapter” by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Blood Services. During FY 2002/2003, we exceeded our year-end goal by 144%, holding 86 blood drives, and collecting 3,456 pints of blood.

Can Patients Donate Their Own Blood For Surgery?

Yes. Autologous blood donation refers to a process whereby the patient provides his or her own blood when transfusions are anticipated, such as upcoming elective surgery. Call 1-800-240-8169 to schedule an appointment.

Who Is Eligible To Give Blood?

•You must be at least 17 years of age.
•You must weigh at least 110 pounds.
•You must wait 56 days between donations.

 

Call 1/800/54BLOOD for donor eligibility information, 

or see the American Red Cross donor eligibility guidelines

 

 

Why Is It Important For Minority Populations To Donate?

The recruitment of African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans for blood donor participation is extremely important.
•Minority populations make up a larger portion of the U.S. population each year.
•Blood type is an inherited trait so the best match for blood transfusions will be found in donors of the same racial, ethnic, and genetic background.
•Some health risks are higher among African-Americans. Extremely rare blood types, such as U-negative, Duffy negative and Js(b) negative, only occur in African-American ancestry and may be as rare as 1 in 1,000 donors.
•A greater number of African-Americans suffer from bleeding disorders and have the need for platelets.
•Sickle cell anemia, cancer, heart disease and organ transplants often require blood transfusions.
•We inherit our particular marrow characteristics in the same way that we inherit our eye and skin color. More marrow donations from persons sharing a common racial heritage will mean more hope for patients needing marrow transplants.

Why Is There An Emergency Appeal For Blood?

•Nationally, the American Red Cross has 37,000 units of blood available. The normal comfort zone is 100,000 units.
•24 out of 36 American Red Cross Regions have less than 1 day’s supply, therefore, importing blood from other areas is almost impossible. One trauma patient could wipe out the entire supply.
•Blood shortages have left our Region on emergency levels of Types 0 and B Blood.
•Hospitals are being asked to postpone surgeries.
•Our Mid-Atlantic Region must collect between 500 to 800 pints every day to ensure a sufficient blood supply for the 50 hospitals and 87 counties it serves.

How Can I Sponsor A Blood Drive?

The Colonial Virginia Chapter needs blood sponsors, and businesses, schools, churches and community groups are urged to participate. Sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive offers a rare opportunity to realize the hero that lives in all of us and to make a difference between life and death.

Call 253-0228 for more information or
email: jsmith@cvc-redcross.org