Blood and Donation Facts Canadian Blood Services Training and Orientation 2009

What is Blood? Specialized cells suspended in plasma Constantly circulating throughout body Carries oxygen and nourishment to cells and removes waste products Supports body’s immune system and capacity to heal itself

Components of Blood: Whole blood contains 4 main elements: Red blood cells – carry oxygen to tissue Platelets – used in coagulation (clotting) Plasma – maintains blood volume and blood pressure, and prevents excessive bleeding White blood cells – fight infection

Blood Types Blood Types and Patient/Donor Compatibilities Blood Type (Donor) % of Blood Type Amongst all Canadians Patient Types Compatible with the Red Blood Cells of Donor Patient Types Compatible with the Plasma of Donor (Rh not indicated) A+ 36 A+, AB+ A, O A- 6 A-, A+, AB-, AB+ O+ 39 O+, A+, B+, AB+ O O- 7 All Blood Types B+ 7.6 B+, AB + B, O B- 1.4 B-, B+, AB-, AB+ AB+ 2.5 AB- 0.5 AB-, AB+ There are four main blood types: A, B, O, AB. Essentially, O+ most common blood type, AB- is rarest.

Blood Types 15% of all Canadians are Rh negative O- is the universal blood donor AB is the universal blood recipient O and A blood groups are always in high demand but all are needed There is no ‘best’ blood type

What It Takes To Give Giving blood only takes about one hour Average person has about 5 – 6 Litres of Blood Normal collection is one unit (450 mL) How often you are eligible to donate: Plasma – 1 week Platelets – 2 weeks Red blood cells – 56 days There’s also 150mL of blood taken in addition tot he 450mL as the sample that CBS will test, so a total of 600mL is collected.

What It Takes To Give II: Identification: Identification with full name and picture such as a driver’s license. Age: Between 17 and 71 birthday (regular donor), or between 17 and 61 birthday (first-time donor). Weight: At least 50 kg (110 lbs) Frequency: Interval between whole blood donations is 56 days Anyone older than the upper boundary in the age limits can speak to their doctor if they still wish to donate.

What It Takes To Give III: You should be in good health and feel well You should have had something to eat and had adequate sleep You must also meet hemoglobin (iron) requirements (test done at clinic) At the time of donation, you will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility

What It Takes To Give IV: If you have You must wait before donating Had dental treatment (extractions, fillings, cleaning, restoration) For cleaning or filling: until the day after treatment For extraction, root canal or dental surgery: 72 hours provided there is full recovery A cold, flu or sore throat Full recovery Had ear or body piercing or tattooing 6 months The purpose of these restrictions is to make sure that you are absolutely healthy enough to donate so that you suffer minimal side-effects. CBS wants to ensure the best possible experience for all of its donors so that they will return after a positive experience. We do not want to risk the donor’s health, so precautions are taken to the best of our abilities.

Uses of Blood Platelets – cancer patients, hemophiliacs, etc. Red cells – anemia patients, cancer patients, trauma patients etc. Plasma – serious burns, shock, cancer, bone marrow therapy, etc.

How Much Blood Is Needed… Fractured hip/Joint replacement – 2 to 5 units Auto accident/Gunshot wound – up to 50 units Cancer treatment – up to 8 units per week Bleeding ulcer – 3 to 30 units Brain surgery – 4 to 10 units Cardiovascular surgery – 2 to 25 units Liver transplant – up to 100 units

The Donation Process Photo identification is presented to the receptionist. First time donors will be given a “First Time Donor” sticker to inform nurses to be more attentive. Iron levels are checked when there is an available nurse. A series of questions are provided on the back of the donor’s information printout to check eligibility.

The Donation Process II The donor must read the information presented about testing for diseases, HIV symptoms, etc. A nurse takes the donor into a private room where more questions are asked about the donor to further check eligibility. Temperature and blood pressure are measured in the room. Lastly, a ‘Yes, use my blood,’ or ‘No, don’t use my blood’ sticker is available for donors to put on their information sheet in private, without the nurse present. **The actual ‘needle in arm’ time is about 5 minutes.