what do i need to do to donate blood for a relative's transfusion

by Ms. Marcelle Runte IV 6 min read

Donors must have proof of age to ensure they meet the minimum age requirements and present a primary form of ID or two secondary forms of ID. Drink an extra 16 oz. of water before your appointment. Bring your favorite music or a friend to relax and enjoy the donation experience.

Directed donation (for a family member or friend)
This can be done at any blood donation center, but you should call ahead to check requirements and schedule the donation. The donor must meet the same requirements as for regular blood donation, and the donor's blood must match the blood type of the recipient.
Apr 7, 2017

Full Answer

How do I prepare for a blood transfusion?

This device suctions, washes, and filters lost blood and returns it to the person during surgery. Still, there is a reasonable chance your father might need a blood transfusion during or after his surgery. Many people undergoing open-heart surgery end up needing a transfusion, though rates do vary widely depending on the length and complexity ...

What are the requirements to be a blood donor?

Anyone who is healthy and meets the criteria for blood donation may designate their blood for a specific patient. There are certain exceptions, including: If the patient will be receiving a bone marrow or stem cell transplant from a family member, no close blood relatives (grandparents, parents, children, siblings, aunts and uncles, first cousins, or nieces and nephews) should …

What blood type do you need for a blood transfusion?

Therefore Gamma irradiation of the blood or blood components from the relative's donor is the best current technology to reduce the risk of TA-GVHD to the recipients. The usual dosage is 2500-3500 rads and requires an expensive equipment that can deliver Gamma Irradiation, currently available in very few institutions in India like CMC Hospital, Vellore, All India Institute …

Who can donate blood for a patient?

Donated platelet units should have the white cells removed by filtration before transfusion, and if appropriate, they should be irradiated as well. Granulocyte Transfusion Granulocytes are a type of white cell. If you have few or no circulating white cells, you can develop an infection that doesn't respond to antibiotics.

Can family members give blood transfusion?

This is when a family member or friend with a compatible (good fit) blood type donates blood specifically for use by a patient in need of transfusion. Volunteer donation. There's no medical proof that blood from directed donors is any safer than blood from volunteer donors.

Is it better to get a blood transfusion from a family member?

There is no scientific evidence that designated blood is safer than blood from other volunteer donors. In fact, directed donors must meet the same eligibility criteria as other volunteer donors. Donors cannot be tested for blood type prior to donation.

Does blood donation from a family member require irradiation?

Because of the risk of GVHD, donated blood from a first- or second-degree relative should be irradiated to inactivate the donor T lymphocytes.

Can you do a person to person blood transfusion?

Transfusion from a donor artery to a recipient vein occurs spontaneously upon connection, whereas, vein-to-vein direct transfusion requires energizing, which can be accomplished by gravity, pumping, or withdrawal into a delivery device for prompt infusion (Fig 1).

What is the rarest blood type?

type ABIn the U.S., the blood type AB, Rh negative is considered the rarest, while O positive is most common.May 18, 2020

Do blood donors get free blood?

If I'm a donor and I need blood, will I get it free of charge? No. All recipients must submit their accounts to their medical aid. However, in the case of a regular donor with no medical aid, we'll enter into negotiation about the account.Aug 24, 2021

Can a parent always donate blood to their child?

Due to the complexity of the ABO blood group genetics, parents may actually not be ABO compatible with their children. Therefore, even if parents donate, the blood components collected may not be suitable for their child's transfusions.

Who requires irradiated blood?

Which blood components need to be irradiated? Only cellular blood components (red cells, platelets and granulocytes) need to be irradiated.

What does irradiation do to blood?

Irradiation of red blood cells and whole blood results in reduced post transfusion red cell recovery and increases the rate of efflux of intracellular potassium. It has no clinically significant effect on red cell pH, glucose, 2,3 DPG levels or ATP.

Can blood be donate directly to someone?

Yes, you can do this! But, to do this, is like Russian roulette! You could help the recipient, or you could kill the recipient! The ABO blood groups of donor and recipient must at least major compatible!

Who can donate blood to whom?

Not all blood donations are the same, and often times we have an increased need for one type over the other....What are the different types of blood?Your blood typeYou can give blood to:You can receive blood from:O+O+ A+ B+ AB+O+ O-B+B+ AB+B+ B- O+ O-AB+AB+EveryoneA-A+ A- AB+ AB-A- O-4 more rows

Which vein is used for blood donation?

median cubital veinThe blood is drawn from a large arm vein close to the skin, usually the median cubital vein on the inside of the elbow.

What happens if you donate blood to a specific patient?

If someone donates to a specific patient and we determine the blood is not compatible with that patient’s blood type, the blood will be released for use by other Memorial Sloan Kettering patients . If the directed donation is whole blood, generally only the red cells are reserved for the designated patient’s use.

How long does it take for blood transfusions to be processed?

It takes up to five business days to test and process blood donations and three business days to test and process platelets before the units can be released for use by patients. Therefore directed donations cannot be made for emergency transfusions. 2.

What is directed donation?

Back to top. 1. What is a directed donation? A directed donation is the donation of blood or platelets that is designated for a specific patient. There is no scientific evidence that designated blood is safer than blood from other volunteer donors. In fact, directed donors must meet the same eligibility criteria as other volunteer donors.

Do you have to wear a mask at MSK?

Patients and visitors must continue to wear masks while at MSK, including people who are fully vaccinated. MSK is offering COVID-19 vaccines to all patients age 12 and over. To schedule or learn more, read this.

Why do people with leukemia need blood transfusions?

Some people with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood diseases or disorders such as hereditary anemias and aplastic anemia need periodic blood transfusions for several reasons: The disease process itself can sometimes interfere with the normal production of red cells, white cells and platelets in the bone marrow.

How long after a blood transfusion can you have a reaction?

However, it's still possible for reactions to occur with any blood component. A reaction can occur at the time of the transfusion or not until weeks or months later. Symptoms and side effects that may occur during or soon after transfusion include:

What is gamma globulin?

Gamma globulins are portions of proteins in plasma that play a key role in preventing infection. Severely low levels of gamma globulin can lead to an increased risk of some types of bacterial infections. Very low gamma globulins are common to chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

How is whole blood collected?

The whole blood is collected from the donor and sent to a lab for separation , allowing one donation to benefit up to four patients and conserving precious blood resources. Another process that separates some blood components is called apheresis or hemapheresis.

Can you transfuse frozen plasma?

Fresh frozen plasma (FFP), the fluid that carries blood cells, and cryoprecipitate, the portion of the plasma that contains clotting factors (often called cryo for short), may be transfused to patients whose blood has abnormal or low levels of blood-clotting proteins. Problems can develop in patients as a result of liver disease or infection. Fortunately, these conditions are uncommon in most people with blood cancers, except for people with promyelocytic leukemia, who may need transfusions to prevent or treat bleeding.

Can liver cancer cause bleeding?

Problems can develop in patients as a result of liver disease or infection. Fortunately, these conditions are uncommon in most people with blood cancers, except for people with promyelocytic leukemia, who may need transfusions to prevent or treat bleeding.

Why do we need a platelet transfusion?

Platelet Transfusion. Platelet transfusions are given to prevent or treat bleeding because of severely low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia). Maintaining a platelet count of more than 5,000 per microliter (µL) of blood, and sometimes higher, seems to reduce risk of: Minor bleeding, such as nose bleeds.

Why do people need blood transfusions?

Blood transfusions are commonly performed to stop the bleeding (platelet transfusion) and temporarily treat aplastic anemia symptoms such as tiredness (red blood cell donation). These transfusions provide blood cells that the recipient cannot produce on their own.

Why do we need blood donations?

A common need for blood donations is after a major disaster causing excessive bleeding has occurred such as a road traffic accident of a natural or another disaster.

What is aplastic anemia?

Other treatments will be needed to resolve the illness. Aplastic anemia: It is a form of anemia resulting from bone marrow failure. All types of blood cells are made from stem cells in bone marrow.

How much blood do you need for a car accident?

The average car accident victim can need as many as 100 pints (4.5 liters) of blood. Blood donations are also needed for casualties of war. Although not necessarily a major injury, blood may also be needed when a large amount of blood is lost through other mechanisms such as surgery. Infections.

Where does leukemia originate?

Leukemia originates in tissues that generate blood such as bone marrow and the lymphatic system. Patients with leukemia and lymphoma generate abnormal white blood cells the rapidly multiple. Multiple myelomas originate in white blood cells called plasma cells.

Why do I feel lethargic?

Anemia is an illness resulting from a deficiency in red blood cells or abnormal hemoglobin— an iron-rich component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to all the cells in the body. As a result, individuals with this condition feel lethargic.

What are the causes of anemia?

Chronic Diseases that cause anemia: Anemia can be caused by several diseases including chronic infections, inflammatory, and autoimmune diseases such as Chron’s disease, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis. Blood transfusions may be provided to treat severe anemia symptoms resulting from these conditions.

Why do people need blood transfusions?

A blood transfusion also can help if an illness prevents your body from making blood or some of your blood's components correctly. Blood transfusions usually occur without complications. When complications do occur, they're typically mild.

How long does it take to get blood transfused?

What you can expect. Blood transfusions are usually done in a hospital, an outpatient clinic or a doctor's office. The procedure typically takes one to four hours, depending on which parts of the blood you receive and how much blood you need.

What are the symptoms of a syringe?

A nurse will monitor you throughout the procedure and take measures of your blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. Tell the nurse immediately if you develop: 1 Fever 2 Shortness of breath 3 Chills 4 Unusual itching 5 Chest or back pain 6 A sense of uneasiness

What is the difference between red and white blood cells?

Red cells carry oxygen and help remove waste products. White cells help your body fight infections. Plasma is the liquid part of your blood. Platelets help your blood clot properly. A transfusion provides the part or parts of blood you need, with red blood cells being the most commonly transfused.

Why does the immune system attack the transfused red blood cells?

Your immune system attacks the transfused red blood cells because the donor blood type is not a good match. The attacked cells release a substance into your blood that harms your kidneys. Delayed hemolytic reaction. Similar to an acute immune hemolytic reaction, this reaction occurs more slowly.

How long does it take to get IV blood?

You'll be seated or lying down for the procedure, which usually takes one to four hours.

Can you donate blood before surgery?

In some cases, you can donate blood for yourself before elective surgery, but most transfusions involve blood donated by strangers. An identification check will ensure you receive the correct blood.

What is a transfusion?

Transfusion of blood and blood components (ie, RBCs, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate) is one of the most common medical procedures performed in the developed world. However, the decision to transfuse or not to transfuse is one of the more complex decisions made by medical practitioners. Clearly no medical intervention is without risks, ...

What is the hemoglobin level for RBC transfusion?

There is general agreement that RBC transfusion is typically not indicated for hemoglobin (Hb) levels of > 10 g/dL and that transfusion of RBCs should be considered when Hb is < 7 to 8 g/dL depending on patient characteristics. 6, 7 The decision to transfuse RBCs should be based on a clinical assessment of the patient that weighs the risks associated with transfusion against the anticipated benefit. As more studies addressing RBC transfusion become available, it becomes increasingly clear that liberal transfusion strategies are not necessarily associated with superior outcomes and may expose patients to unnecessary risks.

How long does plasma need to be frozen?

Plasma for transfusion is produced from volunteer donation of either whole blood or apheresis plasma and is labeled as fresh frozen plasma when frozen within 8 hours of collection or plasma frozen within 24 hours (FP24). Both products are considered clinically equivalent and are typically transfused using a weight-based dosing of 10 to 20 mL/kg of recipient weight. Once thawed, either product must be transfused within 24 hours or be relabeled as “thawed plasma” to allow for refrigerated storage for up to 5 days. 30 Although degradation of the labile clotting factors V and VIII is observed during refrigerated storage, there is an overall maintenance of coagulation factors at sufficient levels for therapeutic use. 30 Risks associated with plasma transfusion include allergic reactions, transfusion-related circulatory overload, transfusion-related acute lung injury, and transfusion-transmitted infections. 31 Several pathogen-reduced plasma products are currently available for use outside of the United States and one has been recently approved for use in the United States. 30

What is clinical practice guidelines?

Clinical practice guidelines are defined as systematically developed statements to assist with practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. 1-3 There is a growing body of literature on the best approaches to develop clinical practice guidelines.

Is platelet transfusion a prophylactic?

It has been shown that patients with severe thrombocytopenia are at increased risk of bleeding. Platelet transfusions can be administered either as a prophylactic to minimize the risk of bleeding or as a therapeutic to control bleeding . It has been assumed for many years that transfusion of platelets should decrease the bleeding risk in the patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia (eg, post myelosuppressive chemotherapy). Early guidelines for platelet transfusion developed in 1980s and 1990s relied primarily on systematic reviews of the literature available at the time, which primarily consisted of small trials. 16 The initial guidelines recommended transfusion of nonbleeding patients at the level of 20 000/μL. This value was extrapolated from the observation that there is significantly increased risk of bleeding when the platelet count is < 5000/μL and the risk of bleeding does not seem to change between 10 000/μL and 100 000/μL. 16 Several studies in different patient populations has shown that there is no difference in bleeding risk between a platelet count of 10 000/μL and a count of 20 000/μL. 17, 18 It has been also observed that ∼ 7100/μL/d is necessary for interaction with the endothelium. 16, 19

How long before surgery can you donate blood?

With your doctor's approval, you can donate your own blood up to six weeks before your surgery. Your doctors also can collect your blood during surgery and return it to your body at the end of operation. This procedure is called blood dilution or intraoperative hemodilution.

How many people receive blood transfusions a year?

Blood transfusions are a critical part of everyday medicine. 4.5 million Americans receive blood each year. Patients receiving organ transplants, cancer therapies and support for sickle cell anemia depend on lifesaving transfusions. Blood is also critical to the survival of premature babies and patients undergoing heart or joint replacement surgery.

Why do we need blood?

You may need blood for a variety of reasons. Your body needs to replenish blood that is lost, destroyed or not replaced by your bone marrow, which makes your blood cells. Loss may occur: As a result of cancer treatment or other illnesses that cause anemia. Anemia occurs when the body's red blood cell count is very low.

What is directed donation?

A directed donation is blood that is donated for you by family members or friends who have the same blood type as you. There is no evidence that directed donations are safer than blood donated by community volunteers.

Why do people donate their own blood?

Using your own blood, called autologous donation, reduces the chance of having a reaction to a blood transfusion. It also prevents you from getting a disease that may have been transmitted through the blood of others.

Is blood donated by volunteers safe?

The FDA requires that blood be labeled, stating whether a unit of blood has come from a volunteer or paid donor. Studies have shown that blood given by volunteers is much safer for transfusions than blood given by paid donors. Also, using blood donated by volunteers ensures that it was given only for altruistic reasons.

Why Give Blood

You don't need a special reason to give blood. You just need your own reason.

What to Expect at Your Donation

Registration — You will sign in, show an ID, and be asked to read some required information.

How to Get Ready

Donors must have proof of age to ensure they meet the minimum age requirements and present a primary form of ID or two secondary forms of ID.