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Blood Donor Standards – Can You Donate?
We have long struggled to meet the high demands for blood products,
and now as new diseases arise, it is becoming even more increasingly
difficult.
With new problems
such as West Nile Virus, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, and smallpox,
the number of screening tests and restrictions has grown. Blood
donors are subject to nearly 50 questions before they can donate.
The increasing
restrictions are taking their toll on our blood supply. Now more
than ever the need for blood is critical.
We are encouraging
all healthy adults to please consider donating blood at our U.P.
Regional Blood Center or any one of our blood drives across the
U.P.
As a prospective donor, you must appear to be in good health, and
are questioned regarding medical conditions, travel history, immunizations,
medications, and life style.
Your hemoglobin
level will be tested by doing a finger stick. Blood pressure, temperature,
and pulse are also recorded. Once the screening process is completed
successfully, the donation takes place.
The blood then
goes through a series of tests such as HIV, Hepatitis B & C,
Syphilis, HTLV I & II, and West Nile Virus. The blood can then
be typed and labeled for use when it has met all of the safety criteria.
Fortunately
the investment of time on behalf of the donor is minimal. Donations
generally take no more than 30-45 minutes to complete the entire
process. The work of the laboratory, on the other hand, is quite
extensive.
Before you donate, you may wish to review the following list which
contains just some of the reasons why you may be deferred from donating.
If you are associated with any of these restrictions, it does not
necessarily exclude you from donating, depending on time frames
and other circumstances.
-Have taken
any of the following medications: Avodart, Proscar, Propecia, Accutane,
Soriatane, or Tegison.
-Received live
or attenuated viral and bacterial vaccines, Hepatitis B Immune Globulin,
or Vaccinia vaccine.
-Diagnosis or
symptoms associated with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), Hepatitis,
HIV, or West Nile Virus.
-Hemoglobin
less than 12.5 g/dL.
-Less than 17
years of age.
-Temperature
above 99.5F or 37.5C.
-Irregular and/or
rapid pulse.
-Blood pressure
greater than 180/100mm.
-Weighing less than 110 lbs.
-Have donated
blood in the last 8 weeks.
-Indications
of alcohol or drug abuse.
-Any activities
or history that may associated with AIDS or Hepatitis.
-A history of
Babesiosis, Chaga’s disease, or malaria.
-Had a tattoo
or piercings in the last year.
-Exposure to
blood-born pathogens.
-Positive test
for syphilis or gonorhea or have been treated for syphilis or gonorhea.
-Have any broken
bones.
-Having been
incarcerated.
-Travel to Europe
or England - 1980 to 1997.
Please don’t
let this discourage you from donating blood. All of these restrictions
insure that our blood supply is safe for our recipients.
Again, some
of these activities or occurrences do not necessarily mean you cannot
donate. Our questionnaires help to determine which circumstances
are allowable and which are not. Please call the Blood Center if
you have any questions - 906-225-4610 or 1-800-491-4483.
We hope that
you will realize how critical the need for blood is. Roll up your
sleeve and please come to donate!
Donor
Services
Upper
Michigan Regional Blood Center
U.P. Regional
Blood Center-Escanaba
2500 7th Ave. So Box 17 Escanaba, Mi 49829 Call for an Appointment
(906)-786-8420
U.P. Regional
Blood Center-Hancock
500 Campus Dr. Hancock, MI 49930
Call for an Appointment (906)-483-1392
Mon through Wed 8-4, Thurs. 8-1, & Fri 10-1
U.P. Regional
Blood Center -Iron Mountain
Medical Arts Building Suite 315 /1711 S. Stephenson Ave. Iron Mountain,
MI 49801
Call for an Appointment (906)-774-1012
For information,
to set up a blood drive or make a blood donation appointment, please
call the U.P. Regional Blood Center 906-225-4610 or 1-800-491-4483
(GIVE) or via
.
Blood
Drive Calendar >>
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