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Reclined in a chair, heart pumping, filling a bag with life-saving blood — a small sacrifice of time and self from a donor is given, but that's only the beginning of the story.
“Someone took the time to donate the blood,” said Rhonda Horne, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital's (SNMH) director of Clinical Laboratory Services said. “We should never waste a drop of it.”
SNMH receives its blood supply from BloodSource in Sacramento, said Natasha O'Connor, lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
BloodSource is a not-for-profit center that has locations in Northern and Central California and is a source for other national centers.
The SNMH Transfusion Service transfused more than 3,000 units of blood last year.
“What we do is provide the services of cross-matching the blood,” explained O'Connor.
Cross-matching is done so that the Blood Bank can make sure the donor unit of blood is compatible with the patient. To achieve compatibility SNMH Transfusion Service screens for 26 different antibodies as well as tests for blood type.
Most unexpected antibodies come from pregnancy or a previous blood transfusion, though they can happen naturally.
The majority of people don't have the antibodies. O'Connor said that it's a very small group, around five percent, maybe less, that have the unexpected antibodies.
Blood donation is very important since there is always need.
“Sometimes we run a little short,” said O'Connor. For example, fewer people donate in December, mostly because of the flu season and the holidays, a month when need goes up.
This last December, she said that 300 units of blood were used.
Blood transfusions are needed by patients for many reasons including patients who have experienced a trauma.
“Every drop counts,” said Horne. “Three tablespoons can save a baby's life.”
“There is no alternative — it's a huge impact,” O'Connor added.
The most needed type is O negative blood, the universal donor.
“It's definitely lifesaving,” O'Connor said.
The SNMH Transfusion Service prides itself on not wasting blood. They believe blood utilization is important and only give blood when physician's feel it's really needed.
Since red blood cells only survive for 42 days, fresh donations are crucial. According to the American Red Cross, one donation can save up to three lives.
Anyone can be screened to donate, though according to BloodSource, fewer than four out of 10 people in the United States are eligible. Less than one in 10 actually donate. The local donation center is at 759 Sutton Way in Grass Valley. To make an appointment with BloodSource, and for more information, call (866) 822-5663.
“Someone took the time to donate the blood,” said Rhonda Horne, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital's (SNMH) director of Clinical Laboratory Services said. “We should never waste a drop of it.”
SNMH receives its blood supply from BloodSource in Sacramento, said Natasha O'Connor, lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist.
BloodSource is a not-for-profit center that has locations in Northern and Central California and is a source for other national centers.
The SNMH Transfusion Service transfused more than 3,000 units of blood last year.
“What we do is provide the services of cross-matching the blood,” explained O'Connor.
Cross-matching is done so that the Blood Bank can make sure the donor unit of blood is compatible with the patient. To achieve compatibility SNMH Transfusion Service screens for 26 different antibodies as well as tests for blood type.
Most unexpected antibodies come from pregnancy or a previous blood transfusion, though they can happen naturally.
The majority of people don't have the antibodies. O'Connor said that it's a very small group, around five percent, maybe less, that have the unexpected antibodies.
Blood donation is very important since there is always need.
“Sometimes we run a little short,” said O'Connor. For example, fewer people donate in December, mostly because of the flu season and the holidays, a month when need goes up.
This last December, she said that 300 units of blood were used.
Blood transfusions are needed by patients for many reasons including patients who have experienced a trauma.
“Every drop counts,” said Horne. “Three tablespoons can save a baby's life.”
“There is no alternative — it's a huge impact,” O'Connor added.
The most needed type is O negative blood, the universal donor.
“It's definitely lifesaving,” O'Connor said.
The SNMH Transfusion Service prides itself on not wasting blood. They believe blood utilization is important and only give blood when physician's feel it's really needed.
Since red blood cells only survive for 42 days, fresh donations are crucial. According to the American Red Cross, one donation can save up to three lives.
Anyone can be screened to donate, though according to BloodSource, fewer than four out of 10 people in the United States are eligible. Less than one in 10 actually donate. The local donation center is at 759 Sutton Way in Grass Valley. To make an appointment with BloodSource, and for more information, call (866) 822-5663.
