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People can now choose two different ways to donate their blood to the American Red Cross. The agency has installed new innovative blood-collection technology that could benefit both the donor and the recipient.
Laticia Karrington is donating her blood today, but in a very different way than those just across the aisle, who are donating a pint of whole blood. A new machine draws her blood, but then sends it two different places.
A centrifuge spins, harvesting and storing red blood cells. Plasma goes to another container, while other components go to a third bag.
During another phase, the machine switches pathways and returns the plasma and some saline back to the donor through a return tube, and through the same single needle the blood was drawn from.
There are several advantages, but the major plus is a single donor in a single donation is giving twice as many red blood cells.
"We're concentrating on type red cells -- the universal A, B, O -- to try and increase our blood supply," said Dr. Annie Strupp, chief medical officer for the American Red Cross' western region.
Donors don't come back as often. They donate less over a year but actually give more. Red blood cells taken from one donor will help two different recipients.
"They leave here with the same amount of fluid in their body that they came in with. They just have less red cells, so they don't feel quite as lethargic as they would from donating whole blood. They're not as depleted," said D'Arcy Sivertsen, donor services supervisor for the American Red Cross.
Those choosing this option over donating whole blood have to have a higher red-blood count at the time they donate, and there are height and weight requirements.
As well as increasing the supply, the new machines will also prove useful in collecting from rare donors or special antigen-type donors.
As holidays approach, the Red Cross will be expanding its campaign for blood donations --- whichever option you choose -- beginning the day before and then after Thanksgiving.
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