Caring Connections:
MEDIC

January is National Volunteer blood donor month, but any month is a great time to give. Blood donations are very important to hospitals. In our country, approximately 38,000 units of blood must be available for Emergency rooms and hospitals daily. All donated blood in our area is processed through the MEDIC Regional Blood Center. They staff various locations in our area to make donating easier.

Have you ever wondered about the process once you donate blood? At least nine tests are performed on each unit MEDIC receives. These include:

Blood type and Rh factor
Screening for Hepatitis B and C viruses
HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies (to detect AIDS virus)
HTLV 1 and 2 (Human T Lymphotropic virus)
Nucliec acid amplication test for HIV and Hepatitis C
Screening for West Nile virus

If any of these tests present questionable results, more confirmation testing will follow. All donated blood found to be abnormal is discarded and the donor is notified.

Hospitals can store red blood cells under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days. It can also be stored frozen. There is no fee for blood donations, however a processing fee is charged to recipients to defer the cost of testing. This fee covers collection, testing, labeling, storage, shipping, etc.

Everyone has a blood type and Rh factor that is specific to their genetic base. These include O, A, B, or AB. The Rh factor is either positive or negative. In an emergency, anyone can receive O-type cells. People with O-type blood are often referred to as "Universal Donors". Those with AB blood are known as "Universal Recipients". Type AB individuals can receive red blood cells of any ABO blood type.

By donating blood, you are covered under MEDIC's family blood coverage program. Family coverage means that a pint of blood donated will ensure that your family (IRS dependents) does not pay blood processing fees at any hospital in the United States. When a donation is indicated to MEDIC as a replacement or for a specific individual, a $15 credit is given per unit received.

It is hard to imagine that one unit of blood can save a life, but it does. Unless you are medically unable to give, consider donating blood through MEDIC. Medic is scheduled regularly at West Park Baptist Church in January, May, and August. If you would like to read more interesting facts about MEDIC and blood donation processing, visit their websites at www.medicblood.com or www.aabb.org.

Contact Information: Vonda Jennings

MEDIC @ WPBC
   May 7, 2-8pm

Contact Vonda @
  690.0031
  email