inter 2003
A link between donors, volunteers, staff & friends of the Stanford Blood Center
Protecting the Blood Supply from West Nile Virus Dr. Susan Galel, M.D. A Message from the Associate Medical Director
By Susan A. Galel, MD mately one in 150 infected persons. The West Nile Virus is a virus that can infect symptoms of this severe form of the dis- What’s humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and ease (“West Nile encephalitis or meningi- some other mammals. It was first found in tis”) include headache, high fever, neck Inside . . . the United States in 1999, stiffness, stupor, disorientation, although it was known to be in coma, tremors, convulsions, News & Events: “Most people who Around the Hemo Globe Wother parts of the world before muscle weakness, and paraly- ...... Page 2 are infected with that time. The primary way in sis. Persons above age 50 the West Nile virus which people acquire this infec- appear to be at increased risk of will not develop any Bone Marrow Update tion is through the bite of a mos- severe disease, and it is reason- type of illness...... Page 2 quito infected with West Nile able to assume that immunode- virus. They will clear the infection without ficient or immunosuppressed Spooky Singles Most people who are infected Night ...... Page 4 knowing that they patients are also at increased with the West Nile virus will not had it.” risk. People with the severe develop any type of illness. form of the disease can die, People: Arm Chair Angels They will clear the infection although most recover...... Page 6 without knowing that they had it. It is The vast majority of people in the U.S. thought that about 20 percent of infected who have been diagnosed with West Nile Golden Donor people develop “West Nile fever” which Virus most likely acquired their infections Celebration . . Page 6 consists of mild symptoms, including from mosquito bites. So far, the U.S. A Stanford Medical School Blood Center PublicationA Stanford W fever, headache, and body aches. These Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has Apheresis: The Blue symptoms will resolve spontaneously. A investigated 33 cases in which West Nile Platelet Special. . Page 9 severe form of disease occurs in approxi- Virus disease appeared in people who had CONT. ON PAGE 3 The Six Pack Club ...... Page 9 Stanford Blood Center Launches Research: Passionate Campaign to Bolster Blood Supply Pursuits ...... Page 11
The Stanford Blood Center has launched a campaign to encourage donations during Meet a SMSBC the holiday period when the need for blood often increases and supplies diminish. In Researcher the campaign, new flags showing Lucile Packard ...... Page 11 Children’s Hospital patient Xitlali Alvarez line El Camino Real between Sand Hill Road and Page Fun Stuff: Vampire Bites Mill Road. The flags, which also line Welch Road ...... Page 14 where the Blood Center is located, read, “Save a T Donor Recipes life – Donate blood!” Known simply as Lali by her nurses, the 3-year- ...... Page 14 old leukemia patient requires numerous units of blood during her chemotherapy treatments at the medical center. Lali’s parents understand firsthand CONT. ON PAGE 4 Table of Contents Table Around the Hemo Globe
need you. I don’t know of too many Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) people who gleefully head on down network. We signed on in early 1987 to the local Blood Center to get with 19 other Donor Centers and asked a bunch of personal questions eight Transplant Centers. At that and then get stuck with a big needle. time, only our platelet Apheresis Most people donate because they donors were invited to join the reg- either have a sense of community istry because they were the only responsibility or because...you donors who had already been HLA guessed it, they were ASKED to. The typed. The HLA (Human Leukocyte They Love Me, last thing we want to happen is for Antigen) typing we use to match you to waste your time or more platelets for patients is the same test They Love Me Not importantly, your precious blood, required for registration in the By Mike Sage, Telerecruitment Supervisor when we or our hospitals don’t have NMDP. We’ve come a very long way Have you ever wondered why some the immediate need. in 15 years. There are now almost of our donors are constantly pestered So if you happen to be in the 100 Donor Centers serving approxi- by the Telerecruitment staff and why group that already knows my staff as mately five million volunteer donors others feel left out because we well as I do, we thank you for your and patients at 112 Transplant haven’t called? While it’s true that continued patience and understand- Centers in the US, and 36 Centers some of our donors and Telere- ing. To this point we’ve needed you a around the globe. SMSBC has proud- cruiters are on a first name basis, a little more. For those of you who ly provided blood stem cells 95 times large number of donors often feel want us to call you more, I’ll leave since our first matched donor gave unwanted when we go several you with a Robert De Niro line in marrow in 1989. months or longer without calling. the movie “Men of Honor”; “Be care- September 11, 2001 challenged Before those of you who fit into the ful for what you wish for.” We will our entire network. While the latter group think that the honey- need you, and when we do, we’ll world’s attention was focused on the moon is over before it has even start- give you a ring. Thanks to you all for terrorist attacks, stem cells were ed, please know that you are every letting us help you save lives! being collected and couriers were in bit as important and valuable to us the air or standing by to deliver pre- as those whom our Center courts on cious cells to waiting patients around a regular basis. the globe. NMDP’s CEO Dr. Jeff In the last issue of Life Link, I Chell wrote about that day in a mentioned how difficult it is to man- memo to the network on the age a blood center’s inventory. It can’t anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. We be done without constant communi- would like to share that inspiring cation and interaction among the memo with you, our donors, the staff at the Blood Center as well as people who make it all happen. the Transfusion Service Departments This week, as we reflect on of the Hospitals we serve. The most National Marrow Donor September 11, 2001, I would like to important daily issues we have to recognize the outstanding effort the deal with are: what do we need, what Program NMDP staff and Network made in the blood types and how many, do they WINTER 2003 UPDATE difficult aftermath of the tragedy. By Diane Hill, Marrow Donor Coordinator need to be Rh negative or positive, Every day, we face challenges as we do Stanford Medical School Blood CMV negative, Human Leukocyte our part to save patients’ lives. Last Center is one of the original partici- Antigen (HLA) matched, etc. We September, many of you went beyond don’t want to call you if we don’t pating Donor Centers in the National CONT. ON PAGE 5 2Page 2 LifeLink BLOOD CENTER IMPLEMENTS FDA GUIDELINES CONT. FROM FRONT COVER
recently received blood transfusions. Although it has not been proven that the transfusion recipients acquired the infection from the donated blood, this appears likely. It appears that the virus is present for only a few days, early in the infection, prior to the development of symptoms and prior to the development of antibodies. Unfortunately, there is no question that can be used to identify if blood donors are carrying the infection. Since it appears that the virus circulates in a person’s blood before symptoms develop, asking donors about symptoms is unlikely to be helpful. Refusal to accept blood donations from individuals with a history of mosquito bites would result in a severe blood shortage that would probably cause more harm than good. The only test that might be used to identify the virus in circulating blood is an investigational test. At the present time, this test is available only in public health service laboratories in a research format that can be used to test only a few samples at a time. There is no test available that can be used to screen the thousands of blood donations made every day. The CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working with the manufacturers of blood bank testing systems to determine whether/how soon a test might be developed that could be used for screening donated blood. The goal is to have an investigational test available for trials by summer 2003. The FDA has recently recommended that blood centers ask donors to report febrile flu-like illnesses that occur within two weeks following a blood donation. Blood centers have been instructed to quaran- tine all blood products donated within two weeks prior to the onset of illnesses suggestive of West Nile infection and to defer donors for at least two weeks after resolution of symptoms. In addition, every patient with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of West Nile meningitis, encephalitis, or neurologic dis- ease should be questioned with regard to whether they donated blood or received blood within the four weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. All cases involving blood donation or transfusion should be report- ed to the supplying blood center, so that potentially infectious units can be removed from the blood sup- ply, pending further testing by a public health service laboratory. We have always asked donors to notify us if they develop any illness within 24 hours of donation. Because of concern about West Nile, we are now asking donors to also notify us if they develop a fever of 100.5°F or greater within two weeks after donation. We will quarantine products based on our evaluation of the donor’s symptoms as well as whether the donor has traveled to an area where there is active West Nile virus activity. The FDA has advised us that we may permit someone to donate 14 days after they are recovered and well or 28 days from the onset of the illness, whichever time period is longer. A Stanford blood donor or recipient with a suspected or confirmed West Nile Virus infection should immediately contact the resource nurse for the Stanford Blood Center at (650) 725-9968 (weekdays) or (650) 723-6445 (after hours). For more information and links to FDA and CDC information, visit our web site at http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu and click the red “What’s New?” button.
O Party Our O Party on Thursday, August 15, produced 221 units! Thanks to all who came out to Boosts join in the fun, and to all of our dedicated donors, no matter their blood type or when they donate. KFRC Oldies 99.7 FM promoted the event and let donors spin the prize wheel and Summer enter a raffle for Oakland A’s tickets. Sponsors offered “O” goodies and prizes, and each Inventory donor received a special party T-shirt as a thank you. We plan on holding this event again in O August 2003! LifeLink Page3 3 SINGLESDonors spent Wednesday, October 30, with real vampires by attending our Singles Night Scare Up blood drive. There were games, Fun for Halloween a contest, a raffle, and prizes to be won. Local band Box of Rox kept things spooky with their set of Halloween tunes, a Ghostbusters sing-along being the highlight. We huddled around the fire to keep warm and toast marshmallows for s’mores, and got tarot card readings if we dared. The next Singles Night event will be a Mardi Gras party on Wednesday, March 5. Don’t miss out on the next fun event! To get a monthly e-mail update, send your e-mail address to [email protected] with SUBSCRIBE in the subject.
STANFORD BLOOD CENTER LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO BOLSTER BLOOD SUPPLY CONT. FROM FRONT COVER
the gift of blood donation. “There’s making donations. “We understand to make an appointment, learn hours really no way we can express in that people are busy but hospital of operation and get directions. words what it’s meant to us,” said patients like Lali continue to need Donors should be in good health her father, Robert Alvarez. blood,” she said. with no cold or flu symptoms. They “Our hope is to show people one The Stanford Blood Center faces must eat well prior to donation, of the many patients they help when the new challenge of supplying drink fluids and present photo iden- they donate blood,” said Michele blood to the Veterans Affairs Palo tification at the time of donation. Gassaway, spokesperson for the Alto Health Care System in addition The process takes about an hour, and blood center. “We constantly strug- to Packard Children’s Hospital, a single donation can help up to gle to get enough blood donors to Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Palo three different patients in need of meet the demands of the hospitals Alto Medical Foundation, El Camino blood. we serve. Lali is alive today because Hospital and O’Connor Hospital in For more information or to sched- people took the time to donate San Jose. To meet demand, the Blood ule an appointment online, please blood.” Center hopes to increase collection visit http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu. Gassaway explained that during by 20 percent in the coming year. the holidays, family activities and Donors are urged to call (650) planning often stand in the way of 723-7831 or toll-free (888) 723-7831 4Page 4 LifeLink NATIONAL MARROW DONOR PROGRAM Coordinating Center was in the air CONT. FROM PAGE 2 carrying stem cells from Europe Singles Night your usual efforts. I’ll always remem- when her plane was turned around. BBQ ber how we came together as a With extra efforts from two German on Wednesday, Network during that harrowing time. Centers, the delayed cells were cry- May 21, Our nation suffered a tremendous opreserved at a European hospital. 800 Welch Road loss last September. In the face of the She and two other couriers from the from 4:30 - 7:30. worst tragedy in American history, we Coordinating Center worked closely Live music and were determined not to let this act of with the NMDP to be in place for tons of fun in terror contribute to additional loss of their chartered flight back to the the sun! life. Here are a few examples of efforts United States. we made: ❚ The Marrow Foundation and the To make an appoint- ❚ The NMDP Search Coordinating NMDP Coordinating Center scram- ment for any of these Unit made extraordinary efforts, bled to transport stem cells between blood drive events, working long hours to cover all the United States and Europe when call 1-888-723-7831. Transplant Centers with planned U.S. air space closed. The Marrow collections and coordinate commu- Foundation established Operation nication and rescheduling. ❚ LifeGift, an emergency fund to sup- When access to Manhattan was port the private jet that the NMDP closed following the attacks, an chartered with special lifeguard sta- NMDP Donor Center, a Collection
tus from the FAA to transport the may Center and a determined donor couriers and stem cells. scheduled for transplants during the worked together with assistance ❚ One NMDP Donor Center 9/11 period of air travel shutdown and from state troopers to get the donor rescheduled two marrow collections though some patients faced short into Manhattan for her marrow col- for international patients four times delays, all received their stem cells in lection. The donor and her family in three days. To transport a PBSC time for transplantation. On behalf of spent more than six hours navigat- collection to a U.S. patient, they all the patients who were depending on ing roadblocks to reach the hospital, drove it in relay across state lines. you last September and who depend on and Donor Center staff stayed at the ❚ NMDP staff organized a used Center all night to maintain contact you every day, thank you for your ded- book sale that raised over $1,700 with everyone involved. ication. for Operation LifeGift. ❚ Two NMDP Donor Center coordi- Many of you met similar challenges. nators drove cross country 23 hours, Another Way to covering 1,200 miles and five states This one-year anniversary is a good Save A Life… to deliver donated PBSC. Contact Stanford Blood Center’s ❚ time to remember the extraordinary When U.S. air space was closed, efforts we made and the cooperation Marrow Donor Coordinator, Diane one courier from the NMDP we achieved. About 30 patients were Hill, and make an appointment to donate blood and request that it be screened for the National Marrow Mardi Gras Singles Night Blood Drive Donor Program (NMDP) Registry. Call (650) 723-5532 or send an at 800 Welch Road on Wednesday, March 5 email to [email protected]. from 4:30 - 7:30. Fun, games, beads, prizes, For more information about the food. Fat Tuesday on a Wednesday! Marrow Donor Program, log on to the Stanford Blood Center web site, then click the red Donate button on the left side of your screen. This will To make an appointment for any of these reveal the gray Marrow button. marchblood drive events, call 1-888-723-7831. Click and you’re there. LifeLink Page5 5 Arm Chair Angels
Golden Donor Celebration On Saturday, September 14, we held
a picnic at Frost Amphitheater for our Golden Donors. People who have donated 100 times or more are honored at this annual event. We enjoyed live music, good food, balloon twisting, and interesting speakers, including donor Matt McCarty, Dr. Susan Galel, and patient Jeannie Callan Smith. The next Golden Donor Celebration will be in October 2003.
A Moment In History
1972 Apheresis is used to extract one cellular component, returning the rest of the blood to the donor.
(SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BANKS/WWW.AABB.ORG)
6Page 6 LifeLink According to Jackie Lights Jackie, donors the Room are her first pri- ority. She tries to By Renee Burrull, Stanford Student with the Community Service Writing Program make them com- Have you ever walked into a medical fortable and office, feeling kind of nervous and then enjoys meeting looked up at the registrar just in time to them individual- be comforted by a warm, loving smile? If ly and becoming friends with them. One you have, then you’ve donated blood at highlight of her job and something she the Stanford Blood Center’s Apheresis finds extremely special is the personal Center. level on which she interacts with the For the last ten years, Mrs. Jackie donors. Another advantage of her job is Light has been the woman responsible for watching children and families grow, both the generous smile and welcome donors through conversation and photos. She receive every time they enter the Blood also enjoys witnessing the dedication of Center. Jackie was born an only child to the donors. Jackie comments that donors Jack and Clara Jenson in San Francisco, “give so generously of themselves” and California, where she stayed and eventu- “are very special to me.” ally married her high school sweetheart, Both donors and staff agree that Mr. Wally Light. Together, they have three Jackie has made a difference in the children: Wally, who lives in California, Center’s atmosphere. “This place is just Linda, who lives in Colorado, and Pam, not the same when she’s not around,” who lives in Nebraska. They are now the comments Vera Chan, an RN at the proud grandparents of five grandchildren Center. “[She’s] one of the nicest recep- and five great-grandchildren. She loves tionists we could ever have. A lot of reading mysteries, cooking and eating, donors come in because they want to see and listening to Jackie.” music. Jackie and According to other staff members, her husband own Jackie always makes donors feel welcome an English bull- and is always friendly, helpful, and of Quotes dog named Rob course keeps the candy dish full. that Count Roy, and enjoy The Stanford Blood Apheresis Center “We ought to think traveling to the is truly blessed to have Jackie Light as a part of the staff. Jackie, on the other east coast during that we are one of the fall. hand, firmly believes that “They’re not the lucky ones, I am to have this job…I’m the leaves of a tree, really, really fortunate.” Donor Eve Laraway could not have and the tree is all summed it up better: “We love Jackie!” humanity. We cannot
live without the
others, without
the tree.”
—PABLO CASALS
LifeLink Page7 7 ments that, despite a 15 minute conversation, she and SMSBC employee Deo can’t remember exactly where this room was – just that it was very dark and you had to sit on the floor to do this project! For a long time, Betty wouldn’t let anyone else do any filing in “the vault” so she Volunteer Spotlight: could be sure everything was in the correct place. Betty Seckler – Betty also tells of when she first started A Volunteer of All Trades working here in the canteen. At that time, we By Tessa Moore, Volunteer Services Manager only offered the donors cookies to eat, and she “So you want to write about the oldest living would entertain both herself and the donors by volunteer at the Blood Center,” said Betty guessing what their blood type was, depending Seckler, with the typical humor in her tone on the type of cookie they ate first. Rumor has and twinkle in her eye, in response to my it she was always right! Betty still occasionally request to write this article. “No,” I replied, “I helps out in the canteen, but the cookies have want to write about the volunteer who’s been changed and apparently we no longer have a here the most years, not necessarily the same “B” cookie! thing.” During her years here, Betty has spent 3,300 Betty has been volunteering at the Blood hours volunteering in the donor room, at the Center since May 1984. She had just moved label table, at mobiles, in the Components Lab from Los Angeles where she had been volun- and has worked on special projects. The last teering at UCLA Blood Center, and so felt eight years have found her in the Histocompa- familiar with the setting. In LA, she had been tibility Lab where she helped reorganize the donating, as her father had just had heart sur- filing system, and now files “at least a four gery. She said the draw took so long by the inch pile” each week. “It is a pleasure to work time she left she had a ticket on her car – so with Betty,” says Julie Engstrom from the Histo she made a deal with UCLA Blood center, “If Lab. “She is very funny, and when she comes you pay my ticket, I’ll volunteer for you.” And to our lab she has a spring to her step. If she is so a blood center volunteer career began. gone for a week, I really miss her.” Needless to say Betty has seen many, many Betty says her joy in life is to “sing, dance, changes here over the years, and has volun- and shred.” She loves to write new words to teered throughout the center in many different show (and other) tunes. This started when she capacities. Her memories include lunch time was in clothing sales and used to do it for the exercise classes in what’s now the Components fashion shows. It then expanded to her bowl- Lab, and the Blood Center Saturday evening ing league and family parties. At the Blood get-togethers at her house before her furniture Center, she has sung to a retiring supervisor, arrived, as there was plenty of space! the volunteers and the Golden Donors. If One of her first tasks was organizing the you’re lucky, you’ve heard some of her songs. medical histories numerically, from alphabeti- Betty brings a smile to many a face as she cally, to go into storage. She spent over a year goes about her work at the Center. Thank you, (with some time out for good behavior) doing Betty, for all you do – we appreciate it! this in what she calls “the vault.” There’s been so much remodeling and moving of depart- 8Page 8 LifeLink The Blue Platelet Special
Q&A with derline anemic and this way I get to pital for the last three months fight- Michele keep my red blood cells, allowing me ing a post-operative infection. He’s Gassaway, to donate on a regular basis. received more than eight units of red blood cells so far. He is a multiple Apheresis What makes you want to con- gallon donor and is a great example Donor tinue to donate? to me. It makes me passionate about Number of I love knowing that I’m helping oth- my job and being a donor when it donations at ers. The great part of my job is that I hits so close to home. SMSBC: 10 get to work with the hospitals and patients to tell their stories. This fall, Michele is the Community and I had the chance to work with a 3- Media Relations Coordinator at the year-old leukemia patient that used a Blood Center. Her duties include lot of blood products. We’re using producing newsletters, press releases, her story to encourage people to advertising and public awareness donate. When I spoke with her par- campaigns. ents and saw how grateful they were that their daughter was able to get When did you start donating blood? And, why? the transfusions she needed, I knew I started donating in college. A local that I loved working at a blood cen- blood center would bring their blood ter and was proud to be a donor. mobile on campus every few months. What's your favorite part about I started donating because it seemed The Six Pack Club being a blood donor? like the right thing to do. It was a By Zach Katagiri, Stanford Student with the I know that I’m helping others when really simple way to help others. Community Service Writing Program they need it the most. People receive The Six Pack Club is made up of transfusions to keep them alive. It’s Why did you pick Stanford as a donors who give six apheresis dona- place to donate? such a wonderful and easy gift to tions between January and December I was hired in June 2000. It’s easy to give someone. Someday, I, or some- of a given year. Although this club walk down the hall to the donor one I love, may need a transfusion has been loosely in place for the past room! I usually ask telerecruitment and I want the blood to be there. few years, often referred to as the to put me on their standby list. That “six timer’s club,” it hasn’t had its What’s your favorite movie to way, if they get a last-minute cancel- official name, “The Six Pack Club,” watch while you donate? lation, it’s easy for them to fill the until just recently. This name was I love comedies, especially romantic appointment slot. chosen as part of a contest held last comedies. I also can’t help but laugh summer. out loud when something funny What got you interested in The term “apheresis” means sepa- happens. So, I giggle ridiculously apheresis donation? ration of a part from its whole. In with my headphones on. I’m usually I had never heard of apheresis dona- terms of blood, apheresis is the not a huge Arnold Schwarzenegger tions before I started working at the process of separating specific parts fan but I could watch “True Lies” a Blood Center. When I heard about from whole blood. For example, the million times. automated collection, it seemed like two most common uses of apheresis the next step. It’s a much more effi- Do you have a fun anecdote or are for the separation of plasma cient way of collecting blood and it story that you’d like to share? (plasmapheresis), and the separation helps more patients. Also, I’m bor- My great uncle has been in the hos- of platelets (plateletapheresis). There LifeLink Page9 9 A Moment In History
1914 Long-term anticoagulants, among them sodium citrate, are developed, allowing longer preservation of blood.
(SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BANKS/WWW.AABB.ORG)
are also procedures that will separate this mark!) one becomes a Platinum could pile up on and behind the other components such as white Donor. Both the Golden Donor blockage, increasing the chance of a blood cells (leukopheresis) or red Program and The Six Pack Club are heart attack. About 36 hours after a blood cells (erythrocytapheresis). Stanford Blood Center’s way of show- dose of aspirin a small proportion of Normally, 6 to 10 units of whole ing its appreciation to donors who newly produced, non-aspirinated blood are needed in order to extract make a commitment to helping oth- platelets can correct platelet func- enough platelets to make up a thera- ers. tion. peutic dose of medical value. With Thompson, Susan L. Apheresis Technologies, Donors taking anti-inflammatory apheresis enough platelets for a Incorporated. “Frequently Asked Questions.” medications such as ibuprofen or (1997)
Dr. Meriem Merad By Charles Kou, Stanford Student with the will greatly benefit cancer patients’ lives. Community Service Writing Program Three main steps are involved in Dr. The Stanford Medical School Blood Center Merad’s new method. First, a bone marrow was established within the Department of growth factor is administered to stimulate Pathology at Stanford University Medical production of many dendritic cells, which School in 1978. One of the unique features normally comprise less than one percent of of the Blood Center is its integration of all white blood cells. Secondly, antigen research programs. from a tumor, which triggers Dr. Meriem Merad completed hematol- immune response, is introduced Quotes ogy and oncology clinical training, and to the patient in a manner that that Count received her Doctor of Medicine degree in assures that it will interact with Paris. She is one of many Stanford Blood dendritic cells. The second step “You only live once. Center researchers who have contributed is controversial, for doctors and But if you work to the betterment of patients’ lives through researchers are debating persistence and talent. whether introducing many dif- it right, once Dr. Merad joined the Stanford Blood ferent types of antigens found Center three years ago, and she has recent- in specific cancer cell is more is enough.” ly completed her research and study on the effective than introducing only life cycle of the dendritic cell, which is an a single common antigen rele- —FRED ALLEN essential component of the immune sys- vant to the specific cancer cells. tem. Through this research, she has studied In general, different types of antigens are the dendritic cell’s creation in the bone required for the treatment of different types marrow, its functionality, and its pathways. of cancer. For example, the antigen for She has also developed a tech- breast cancer cannot be used for the treat- nique that could revolutionize ment of lung cancer, and vice versa. Lastly, A Moment the field of immunology. Dr. a substance is injected that specifically acti- In History Merad developed an active- vates the antigen “loaded” dendritic cells immunization method that enabling them to travel to the lymph 1840 At St. George’s can manipulate a patient’s nodes, which causes T-cells to attack the School in London, Samuel dendritic cells to target cancer cancerous cells. These steps are accom- cells. For the past ten years, Armstrong Lane, aided by plished within the patient’s body. active-immunization with consultant Dr. Blundell, Therefore, her method makes it unneces- dendritic cells has required performs the first successful sary for active-immunization to occur in- removal of the cells outside vitro. whole blood transfusion to the body, in-vitro. The immu- Dr. Ed Engleman, Medical Director of treat hemophilia. nization process took place in the Stanford Blood Center, said Dr. Merad’s (SOURCE: AMERICAN the lab, then the resulting persistence, diligence, and sense of curiosi- ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD product was injected back ty has made her a successful researcher and BANKS/WWW.AABB.ORG) into the patient. It has been contributor to the field of medicine. Dr. expensive, impractical and Merad has returned from France after unfit for the mass treatment of cancer defending her dissertation, and her work patients seeking alternatives to chemother- has recently been published in the presti- apy. If Dr. Merad’s method, which has been gious scientific journal “Blood.” demonstrated with mice, is successful, it LifeLink 11Page 11 Donating for Research
By Brad Sylvester, Mission Medical research contribute ultimately to the ben- Last winter, the son of a friend of mine efit of many people. was eager for some sunshine, so he left The most apparent benefit of research behind the snow and cold of Colorado for donations is in helping to advance med- a vacation in the Yucatán Peninsula of ical technology. All advances in technolo- Mexico. He had a wonderful time – enjoy- gy undergo informal testing during devel- ing the spectacular beaches, snorkeling, opment, and formal testing which Mayan ruins, and a few too many margar- experts at the Food and Drug itas. Soon after returning to the States, the Administration review as part of their local blood center called to schedule his approval process. routine whole blood donation. Arriving at At Stanford a visible example of new the blood center, he came in for a sur- technology in action is in the apheresis prise: the donation was deferred because collection area where two models of he had traveled to a region where malaria advanced apheresis are in use. These sys- is endemic. tems are more efficient than their prede- Travel deferrals are not uncommon cessors, allowing collection of multiple among Stanford’s donors. In addition to components from a single donation. One malarial areas, some of you may also have donor can give to several transfusion encountered a deferral due to extended recipients. These new systems took years stays in the United Kingdom. to develop during which they were tested Deferrals occur for with hundreds of units of blood. Where other reasons too, did this blood come from? Research but one of the donors. benefits of donat- Less apparent to donors, but very ing at Stanford is important to transfusion recipients, is the that some deferred technology found in donors can still the diagnostic give their blood, tests per- or platelets, for formed on use in research. every collec- Are research dona- tion. These tests tions important? help ensure that More than most our blood is safe people appreciate! for transfusion. Many of us are Within the last motivated to two years a new donate by the con- technology was nection to the put in place for transfusion recipient. I first donated for HIV and hepatitis my nephew who was born with congeni- C testing. Although tal heart defect and at three weeks of age the blood supply is currently the underwent open-heart surgery. Rather safest it has ever been, this new diagnos- than contributing to the health of individ- tic technology was adopted because it is ual transfusion recipients, donations for more sensitive than the previous technol-
12Page 12 LifeLink Quotes that Count
“It’s easy to make a
buck. It’s a lot
ogy. Stanford participated in the trials. The company I work for is develop- tougher to make a Research donors were used to develop ing new technology to automate the these diagnostic tests. collection of whole blood and to auto- difference.” Another promising technology mate the processing of red cells that —TOM BROKAW under development is the use of are frozen for extended storage. Both agents that when systems are tested with blood from added to blood Stanford research donors – our heart- will reduce or felt thanks to all of you. eradicate most Donors share in the satisfaction of pathogens that helping others. Most will contribute could be present. directly to those in need of transfu- In early tests sions. For some of you who are these agents deferred, and who would like to con- were shown to tribute to the benefit of many through be effective new technology, please consider serv- against various types of viruses, bacte- ing as a Stanford research donor. ria, and parasites. Ultimately, use of Call (650) 724-2997 for more such agents may further enhance the information. safety of our blood supply. Stanford research donors participated in the early trials of one of these agents. A Moment In History 1950 In one of the single most influential technical developments in blood banking, Carl Walter and W.P. Murphy, Jr., introduce the plastic bag for blood collection. Replacing breakable glass bottles with durable plastic bags allows for the evolution of a collection system capable of safe and easy preparation of multiple blood components from a single unit of whole blood. Development of the refrigerated centrifuge in 1953 further expedites blood component therapy. (SOURCE: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BANKS/WWW.AABB.ORG)
LifeLink 13Page 13 Vampire Bites
I’m a three-gallon donor and when I went to the mountains of central Peru this sum- ampire mer, I brought along the 4th of July com- V memorative T-shirt I had just received from the Stanford Blood Center. Everywhere I ittles went I looked for the perfect spot and final- V ly found a beautiful mountain, on which I had a photo taken of myself wearing the shirt. This mountain overlooks the town where my wife grew up and is about a six- hour bus ride northeast of Lima. Here are two recipes that my wife (Mercedes) makes whenever we have first time guests and/or I can talk her into it. Sauteed Liver with Even those folks who aren't adventurous Fines Herbes like these recipes. Recipe courtesy Susan M. Hart Susan Hart is a 10-gallon donor. RECIPES AND PHOTO COURTESY RAO CANHAM She wrote, “I thought (this recipe) Chicken and Rice Potatoes in the Huancayo style would be a perfect hemoglobin and (Arroz con Pollo) From Peru (Papas a la Huancaina) From Peru iron-booster. Very tasty, too!” Ingredients: Ingredients: Ingredients: 1 chicken (or about 6 pieces: white or 3 teaspoons salsa de aji amarillo 1 pound calves’ liver, thinly sliced dark, you choose- we like dark.) (Yellow Hot Pepper paste/sauce- 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 cup of oil available at Mi Pueblo foods in 1 teaspoon Mei Yen seasonings 1 onion, finely chopped Mountain View) to taste (How hot (or 1/2 teaspoon salt) 3 cloves of chopped garlic do YOU want it??) 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black 1 teaspoon "salsa de aji amarillo" 2 hard-boiled eggs pepper (Yellow Hot Pepper paste - 1 sleeve of Saltine crackers 1/2 teaspoon salt available at Mi Pueblo foods in 1/4 pound queso fresco ('fresh' cheese) - 3 teaspoons butter Mountain View) to taste (How hot from a Latin grocery store 1/2 teaspoon Fines Herbes (1/4 ts. do YOU want it??) 1/2 cup of milk (add to make not too each: chervil, chives, parsley 1/2 cup of ground/crushed cilantro dry nor too wet) and tarragon) 4 cups of rice 3 drops of lemon juice (to your taste) 1/2 cup cream sherry 1/2 cup of peas 1 pound of potatoes 1/2 large red pepper cut into strips, with salt to taste the seeds out olives (I leave these off my plate Preperation: 4 cups of boiling water because I don't like olives) Cut liver into serving-size pieces. lettuce leaves Combine flour, Mei Yen pepper and Preparation: salt. Dip liver in seasoned flour Clean, dry, cut, salt and pepper and Preparation: mixture. Melt butter in heavy fry- lightly brown the chicken in hot oil. In a blender, blend the hard-boiled ing pan. When hot, sauté liver Set aside the chicken and cook until eggs, crackers, 'fresh' cheese, aji amaril- quickly. Sauté only 45 seconds to 1 golden brown (in the same oil) the gar- lo, milk, and lemon juice until you minute on each side, turning once. lic, onion, aji amarillo and the cilantro. have a sauce that is medium consisten- Arrange liver a on heated platter. Return the meat, and cook until the cy. Place the peeled and sliced (in cir- Crush Fines Herbes and add to chicken is done. Take out the meat and cles/disk shape) potatoes in a serving drippings in frying pan; add sherry. keep it hot. Mix in the rice, peas, and dish, and cover with the sauce. Put the Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 to red pepper, add the water, check for lettuce leaves around the edges and 3 minutes. Pour over liver and taste, and cook until the rice is ready. adorn with the olives. serve immediately. Serve with the hot pieces of chicken. Makes 6-8 servings. Makes 4 servings. 14Page 14 LifeLink Letters to the editor: We Want to Hear From You! Share your thoughts, feelings and stories about the Stanford Blood Center, or let us know about an experience that you’ve had with us. Donors, volunteers, staff and friends of the Blood Center are invited to write letters that may be published in our next newsletter. This is a spe- cial section in the publication that will give YOU a voice. Did someone treat you with extra care? Do you have a question, comment or maybe just a fun anecdote? Have a picture of your- self in a SMSBC shirt at an exotic location? Please share it with us! Send letters to:
STANFORD BLOOD CENTER ATTENTION: NEWSLETTER 800 WELCH ROAD PALO ALTO, CA 94304 OR EMAIL THEM TO: [email protected]
PLEASE LIMIT LETTERS TO NO MORE THAN 300 WORDS. LETTERS MAY BE EDITED.
1Ss! Letters to the editor, Calling All You Today was my birthday. Some people thought I was crazy to do volunteer work on my birthday. I love Creative my work, the staff, and volunteers at SMSBC. Shortly after we started to work, the staff came around my desk with a pie and a balloon and sang Cats… Happy Birthday. Later, Medical Assistant, Gene made a crown for me, which several staff members helped Are you a great cook, cool cartoonist, or wacky decorate. wordsmith? We could use your talents in our next newsletter. It was great. Everyone was just wonderful. Now, I know why I started to volunteer at Stanford. We Help donors boost their hemoglobin levels have the best staff and volunteers. Staff appreciates by sending in a healthy recipe that is loaded with iron. both the volunteers and donors very much. Draw a funny cartoon about the Blood Center. All this happened at a mobile blood drive at Put your wit to the test with a poem. Acuson in Mountain View. I am proud to be with Or come up with your own way to entertain us. such wonderful people. The sky’s the limit. Send your fun stuff to: Sincerely, Paula Latusky Stanford Blood Center September 19, 2002 EAttention: Newsletter 800 Welch Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304 or email them to: [email protected]
1Ss! LifeLink 15Page 15 STANFORD BLOOD CENTER WHOLE BLOOD DONATIONS – 800 Welch Road Mountain View Center Palo Alto, CA 94304 Monday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Tuesday Noon – 7:30 pm STANFORD BLOOD CENTER OF Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm A special thanks to the following people who MOUNTAIN VIEW Thursday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm contributed to the newsletter: 515 South Drive, Suite 20 Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Mountain View, CA 94040 Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm* Susan A. Galel, MD, (*open every Saturday) Associate Medical Director APPOINTMENTS: Michele Gassaway, (650) 723-7831 OR (888) 723-7831 APHERESIS DONATIONS – Palo Alto Community & Media Relations RESOURCE NURSE: (650) 725-9968 Monday 12:30 pm – 6:30 pm Coordinator ADMINISTRATION: (650) 723-7994 Tuesday 12:30 pm – 6:30 pm Diane Hill, FAX: (650) 725-4470 Wednesday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm Marrow Donor Coordinator Web site: http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu Thursday 12:30 pm – 6:30 pm Tessa Moore, Friday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm Volunteer Services Manager Please send Life Link questions & Saturday 7:00 am – 1:00 pm Mike Sage, comments to: Telerecruitment & Appointment Office Stanford Blood Center APHERESIS DONATIONS – Mountain View Supervisor Attn: Michele Gassaway Monday 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm Patricia Stayner, RN, 800 Welch Road Tuesday 7:30 am – 12:30 pm Director of Donor Services Palo Alto, CA 94304 Wednesday Closed Jennifer Reczkowski, [email protected] Thursday 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm Center Recruitment Consultant Or call (650) 723-8237 Friday Closed Rao Canham, Saturday 7:30 am – 1:00 pm Stanford Blood Center Donor STANFORD BLOOD CENTER DONOR HOURS Susan M. Hart, WHOLE BLOOD DONATIONS – PALO ALTO AND MOUNTAIN VIEW CENTERS Stanford Blood Center Donor Palo Alto Center CLOSED SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS. Paula Latusky, Monday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Stanford Blood Center Donor Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Brad Sylvester, Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Mission Medical Thursday Noon – 7:30 pm Renee Burrull, Friday Closed Stanford Student with the Community Saturday 8:00 am – 12:00pm* Service Writing Program (*open 1st & 3rd Saturday’s only) Zach Katagiri, Stanford Student with the Community CLAUDIA BENIKE, CELLULAR IMMUNOL- Service Writing Program OGY LAB MANAGER, ALWAYS MAKES AN Charles Kou, AMAZING COSTUME FOR HALLOWEEN. Stanford Student with the Community THIS YEAR, SHE GOT A LEG UP ON THE COMPETITION AS CAPTAIN HOOK. Service Writing Program Melisa Shah, Stanford Student with the Community Service Writing Program Thank You!
NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PALO ALTO, CA STANFORD MEDICAL SCHOOL PERMIT NO. 28 BLOOD CENTER
Stanford Blood Center 800 Welch Road Palo Alto, CA 94304