PHARM PHACTS: World Donor Day is June 14th

Auburn University Healthy Tigers Program Rhyan Hurn, PharmD. Candidate 2015

Why YOU Should Become a Blood  Every two seconds someone in the U.S. Donor! needs blood. 2

 38% of the U.S. Did you know, a single blood These “healthy” donors probably population is eligible donation may help up to three have lower blood pressure and to donate, however, people including yourself? cholesterol than non-donors, less than 10% According to recent studies, making them less likely to suffer actually donate. 2 donating blood helps others from heart disease. The second  The World Health and it may decrease your risk theory is that iron significantly Organization’s goal is for heart disease.1 These impacts hardening of the to obtain 100% of studies showed that blood arteries, a process known as blood supplies from donors were 88% less likely to atherosclerosis. Donating blood voluntary unpaid suffer from a heart attack and removes 225 to 250 milligrams donors by the year 33% less likely to suffer from of iron from the body, thus 2020. 3 any type of cardiovascular potentially decreasing one’s risk event compared to non- for heart disease.1 Another donors.1 There are two benefit of donating blood is that potential theories behind this. you will receive a mini physical One theory is that someone which includes monitoring of must be considered in your pulse, blood pressure, body relatively good health before temperature, and hemoglobin. they can donate blood.

Types of Donations2 A donation may consist of whole blood or specific components of blood including red blood cells, plasma, or platelets through a process called apheresis. Whole blood may be donated once every 56 days. This allows for an adequate amount of time for red blood cells to be replenished. Plasma and platelets are replenished more frequently which allows for these specific components to be The Donation donated as often as once every How to Prepare 2 2 seven days. for Your Donation Process  Step 1: Registration- during this time you  To help maintain a will sign in, show a BLOOD TYPES2 healthy iron level eat form of ID, and read  Type A: has A antigen on surface of red blood cells foods such as red meat, information regarding and B antibody in plasma fish, poultry, and beans. .  Type B: has B antigen on  Step 2: Health history surface of red blood cells  Eat a healthy meal before and mini physical- and A antibody in plasma starting the donation here you will answer  Type AB: has A and B some questions in a Bloodantigens types on and surf ace of red process. who can receive private interview and blood cells and neither A  Drink an extra 16 ounces nor B antibodies in plasma a mini physical will be  Type O: has neither A nor B of water or nonalcoholic performed. antigen on surface of red fluids before donating.  Step 3: Donation- a blood cells and A and B pint of blood is  Get a good night’s sleep. antibody in plasma collected which takes

 Platelet donors must not about 8-10 minutes Type O is know as the universal donor as people with consume aspirin for at (for whole blood). this blood type can donate red least two days prior to  Step 4: Refreshments- blood cells to anyone. This you will be provided a donation. makes it the type most often snack and something requested by hospitals.  Bring a form of ID to drink and may leave

Type AB is known as the (driver’s license, donor the donation site when you feel comfortable. universal acceptor as those card, or two other forms) with this blood type can receive red blood cells from to the donation site. anyone.

 There is a 20% chance someone will receive a during their lifetime.3  Over 41,000 blood donations are needed every day. 2  There are many reasons a person may need blood, a few examples include: car accident, cancer treatment, sickle cell disease, and various types of surgery.  More than 1.6 million people were diagnosed with cancer last year, many of which will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.3  A single car accident victim can require as many as 50 to 100 units of blood.

World Sickle Cell Awareness Day - June 19th

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders, which cause red blood cells to become hard, sticky and to form a C-shape. This disease affects millions of people throughout the world. More than 90,000 people in the U.S. are affected and about 1,000 babies are born with the disease each year. The sickle cells die prematurely resulting in a constant shortage of red blood cells. These C-shaped cells may also become stuck when traveling through small blood vessels, which may result in the obstruction of blood flow. This obstruction can cause pain, infection, or even stroke. Although there is no cure, painful symptoms and life threatening events may be prevented by regular blood transfusions. Your blood donation may enable someone affected by this disease to receive a lifesaving blood transfusion.4

2 After Your Donation…  Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body hydrated.  Avoid strenuous activity.  Keep your bandage on and dry for the next five hours.  If the needle site starts to bleed, raise your arm and press on the site until bleeding stops.  If you become dizzy or lightheaded, lie down and raise your feet until the feeling subsides.  Pat yourself on the back, knowing you helped save lives!

What is World Blood Donor Day?

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14th every year. The goal is to increase awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products. This day also serves as a way of saying thank you to voluntary unpaid donors for giving the lifesaving gift of blood.3

Helping Our Community5 LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood supplier. The Opelika LifeSouth supplies 100% of blood products for 7 local hospitals. You may donate at the Opelika Donor Center, which is open 7 days a week. You may also donate at a bloodmobile, which can often be seen throughout the Auburn and Opelika communities.

Opelika Donor Center: Located next to East Alabama Medical Center Address: 505 East Thomason Circle Opelika, AL 36801

Upcoming Bloodmobile Dates and Locations: June 7th, TigerTown June 14th, Auburn Wal-Mart June 21st, TigerTown June 23rd, Auburn University College of

Engineering 9am-4pm

Visit lifesouth.org for more information

References: 1. Health Benefits of Donating Blood [Internet]. One Blood. [cited 2014 May 30]. Available from: http://www.oneblood.org/media/nancys-news/20376-Health-Benefits-of-Donating- Blood.stml 2. [Internet]. American Red Cross. [cited 2014 May 30]. Available from: http://www.redcrossblood.org/home 3. World Blood Donor Day: Safe blood for saving mothers [Internet]. World Health Organization. [cited 2014 May 30]. Available from: http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-blood-donor- day/2014/en/ 4. Sickle Cell Disease [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [cited 2014 June 2]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/facts.html 5. Do Something Amazing Give Blood [Internet]. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. [cited 2014 June 2]. Available from: http://www.lifesouth.org/about/our-districts/alabama/ 6. Apheresis – A Special Kind of Blood Donation [Internet]. American Red Cross. [cited 2014 May 30]. Available from: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Apheresis--A-Special-Kind-of- Blood-Donation 7. How Donating Blood Can Be Good For Your Overall Health [Internet]. Sure Viagra. [cited 2014 May 30]. Available from: http://www.sureviagra.com/how-donating-blood-can-be-good-for- your-overall-health.html