Start off the New Year by saving a life! Our local hospitals need ALL blood types, but are asking specifically for Type A Platelets and Plasma! ABS now has TWO locations! Please call (404) 459-8744 to schedule an appointment to save a life in our community!
 
   
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Things to Know
Blood Components
  • Platelets, essential to clot blood when cuts or other open wounds occur, are often used in cancer and transplant patients. Platelets only have a shelf life of 5 days, requiring the supply to be constantly replenished. Platelet donors can donate every 7 days and can donate up to twenty-four times a year!
  • Plasma, the liquid part of the blood containing many critical clotting factors, is administered to patients with clotting problems.
  • Red Blood Cells (RBC's), which make up 45% of the blood and carry oxygen to all parts of the body, can be extracted for use in trauma or surgical patients. RBC's can be donated by Whole Blood donations or on an Apheresis machine.

Facts About Blood
More then 1 million people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many cancer patients do not have the ability to make their own platelets while undergoing treatment and may use all of the various blood components, sometimes daily, during their treatment.

All blood types are needed! Blood types are inherited and occur in the general population in different percentages. A healthy regional blood supply depends upon the donation of all types of blood on a regular basis. O Positive is the most common blood type. While ABS always welcomes donations from donors with common blood types, it is also important for individuals with less common blood types to donate blood regularly, as it is difficult to find enough donors from such a small segment of the population. Below is a chart listing the various blood types and their frequency in the U.S. population.

Blood Group
Positive
Negative
O

38%

7%

A

34%

6%

B

9%

2%

AB

3%

1%

In an emergency, anyone can receive type O Red Blood Cells (RBC's), and type AB individuals can receive RBC's of any ABO type. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as "universal blood donors," and those with type AB blood are known as "universal recipients." AB donors are known as "universal plasma donors."

  • If you live to the age of 72, there is a 95% chance you will need blood or blood components!
  • Every 2 seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood!
  • The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will it hurt to donate blood?
A: At the very beginning you may feel a slight sting lasting a few seconds, but during your donation you should not feel any discomfort.
   
Q: Can I get AIDS from donating blood?
A: No. There is no risk of contracting AIDS or any other disease from the donation process. Each of the collection kits used during the donation process is sterile,   pre-packaged and is only used for that one donation.
   
Q: Can I get paid to be a blood donor?
A: No, all of the blood products collected at ABS are donated by volunteer donors.
   
Q: How often may I donate?
A: Regulations here in America are such that Whole Blood donors are eligible to donate every 56 days (6 times a year). Donors who donate Double Red Cells are only able to donate every 112 days. There is a higher frequency of donations when donating Platelets, donors are eligible every 7 days and may donate 24 times in one year!
   
Q: How much time does it take for my body to replace the blood that I donated?
A: The human body is amazing and is able to replace the volume of fluids lost during your donation within a few hours of your completed donation. Anytime you donate Red Blood Cells (through Whole Blood or Apheresis donations) they will be replaced within a few weeks.
   
Q: Are the questions that I am asked before my donation and my test results confidential?
A: Yes. Each donor will answer the standard questionnaire in a private room to preserve confidentiality. Your answer will be kept confidential, except where required by law. If the unit you donated becomes flagged during standard testing, ABS will contact you. ABS maintains strict confidentiality of all donor and patient records.
   
Q: Are the health history questions necessary every time I donate?
A: To ensure the safest possible blood supply, all donors must be asked all the screening questions at each donation. The FDA requires that all blood centers conform to this practice.
   
Q: What should I do to prepare for my donation?
A: Eat a good, hearty meal before coming in, be well hydrated, and do not have any cold/flu symptoms or any infections 3 days prior to your appointment. Platelet donors can not take an Aspirin products 48 hours or Feldene products 48 hours before their donation time.
   
Q: How long does it take to donate blood?
A: All donations will vary from donor to donor. Whole Blood donors may be at the center for 30-40 minutes. Platelet donors may be on the machine anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half
   
Q: Why do blood shortages occur?
A: ABS strives to maintain an optimum inventory of a 3 day supply for our community. Unpredictable demands from hospitals—trauma incidents etc—can drop the supply below the 3-day supply. When this occurs ABS will contact donors to see if they can help increase the supply for the community.
   
Q: Do I have enough blood in my body to donate blood?
A: Yes. The human body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood. When you donate Whole Blood you only donate 1 pint of blood.
   
Q: How much blood is taken from me when I donate?
A: For your Whole Blood donation you will donate approximately 1 pint of blood. Your Platelet donation blood loss will vary from donor to donor due to height, weight and platelet count, but will be less then a Whole Blood donation.
   
Q: What does the term “donor deferral” mean?
A: Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as "deferred" donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point during the collection and testing process. Whether or not a person is deferred temporarily or permanently will depend on the specific reason for disqualification (e.g., a person may be deferred temporarily because of having low iron on the day of their appointment or be deferred for travel to a malaria risk area). If a person is to be deferred, their name is entered into a list of deferred donors maintained by ABS. If a deferred donor attempts to give blood before the end of the deferral period, the donor will not be accepted for donation. Once the reason for the deferral no longer exists and the temporary deferral period has expired, the donor is welcome to donate again.
  Those who may be deferred include:
  * Anyone who has ever used intravenous drugs (illegal IV drugs)
* Men who have had sexual contact with other men since 1977
* Anyone who has received clotting factor concentrates more than once
* Anyone with a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus)
* Men and women who have engaged in sex for money or drugs since 1977
* Anyone who has had hepatitis since his or her eleventh birthday
* Anyone who has had Babesiosis or Chagas disease
* Anyone who has taken Tegison for Psoriasis
* Anyone who has risk factors for Crueutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD, “Mad Cow”) or   who has an immediate family member with CJD
* Anyone who has risk factors for variant CJD
* Anyone who spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 to 1996
* Anyone who has spent five years in Europe from 1980 to the present.
   
Q: If I was deferred once before, am I still ineligible to donate?
A: If your deferral is of a permanent nature, you will be informed. Otherwise, the deferral time depends upon the reason for deferral. Prior to each donation, you will have your iron, blood pressure, temperature and pulse checked and be asked a series of health questions. At that time, it will be determined if you are eligible to donate blood on that particular day.
   
Q: What can I do if I have been told that I am ineligible to donate blood?
A: There are always ways to help out even if you are unable to donate. Helping increase awareness about the important need for blood donations helps the patients in our community!
   
Q: If I just received a flu shot, can I donate blood?
A: Yes. There is no waiting period to donate after receiving a flu shot as long as you do not have any flu symptoms.
   
Q: If I have the cold, flu or any infections can I come in today to donate?
A: No. For the safety of our patients we ask that all donors be well and healthy (no symptoms) for at least 3 days prior to your appointment.
   
Q:

What if I take a daily Aspirin or a Mediation prescribed by my physician?
A: Most prescription medications that donors take on a daily basis do not counteract with blood donations. Please click here to go to the Medication List. Platelet donors are unable to take Aspirin for 48 hours prior to their donation; Aspirin does not affect Whole Blood Donations.
   
Q: What if I have anemia?
A: You cannot give blood if you have anemia. However, this can often be a temporary condition as iron levels in your body fluctuates on a daily basis. Your iron level will be tested before each donation to make sure you qualify.
   
Q: How can I increase my iron level?
A: Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low hematocrit or hemoglobin (iron) level. This restriction is for the safety of the donor and ensures that after each donation, the donor's hematocrit level will still be within the normal range for a healthy adult. Since hematocrit levels can fluctuate daily, a deferral for a low hematocrit level does not mean a donor is anemic. A donor may help increase his or her hematocrit levels by eating foods high in iron such as red meat, dark green vegetables and raisins or by taking a multivitamin that contains iron. ABS can provide you with a list of iron enriched foods.
   
Q: How will I feel after I donate?
A: Most people feel great after giving blood. After each donation you will be observed for at least fifteen minutes and before leaving the center we will take your blood pressure. If you are still feeling unwell we will not let you walk out our door. After your donation, if you feel any abnormal symptoms, please contact ABS to let a staff member know. This is important because if you are experience any cold/flu symptoms we will not release your product. You should avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise for 24 hours after your donation; otherwise you can resume full activity as long as you feel well. Remember to re-hydrate!
   
Q: How can I host a blood drive at my work, school or church?
A: ABS now has a Mobile Program. We would love to come to your business, organization, or school! Please call (404) 459-8744 to find out more information!
 
 
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