Tales from a blood drive and the struggle to donate





VOORHEESVILLE – Bob King, of Feura Bush, is a regular blood donor.

As King calmly sat in a chair with a thin tube attached both to his right arm and a centrifuge machine that separates his red-blood cells from the rest of his blood, I could feel myself getting lightheaded and sweaty.

King was participating in a Red Cross blood drive at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville on June 8. He explained that, once the blood is separated, the remaining components and a saline solution are pumped back into his bloodstream.

I could feel the inevitable about to happen. I patted King on the shoulder and thanked him for allowing me to photograph him as his blood was being taken and he nonchalantly squeezed a stress ball.

I was there simply to take a photo, and get some information about the double red-cell donation that King was undergoing. I wish I was able to donate, but I pass out at the sight of a needle.

I tried to escape quietly to my car, but, as I was nearing the doorway, a woman stopped me to ask something. Before I knew it, the technicians and volunteers were rushing over to me, now sprawled on the floor by the church doorway.

Overwhelmed with embarrassment and a foggy head, I was escorted by Daniel Ragone, a manager with the American Red Cross, to a bed where he had me lie down and sip a juice box.

The episode was unavoidable. I felt it about to happen, but I had no control over my own body.

I kidded that Ragone had likely not seen anything quite like it before. He said that I was the first reporter he’d seen pass out, but that he deals with people fainting all the time.

For many people, donating blood is a simple task. For me, it is an impossible one.
Only about 5 percent of the eligible population actually gives blood, "and they donate infrequently," Ragone said.

Whole blood donations are separated after the donation, he said, into white cells, red cells, and plasma, and can help up to three people.
"We struggle to get enough blood," he said, and explained that red blood cells are needed most, which is what makes the double red-cell donators valuable. Red cells can be stored for up to 42 days, he added.
"I think it’s more comfortable than the regular donation," King said of the double red-cell donation. "I got hooked on this when it first came out, and I’ve been doing it ever since."

The Red Cross has been accepting double red-cell donations for about three years in the Albany area.

The same amount of blood is taken during a double-red donation, Ragone explained, but two units of red cells are collected. It takes about 15 minutes longer, and donators only give every four months.

The advantage for the Red Cross is getting more from each donation, Ragone said. It is beneficial to patients, he said, because they are getting more red cells from the same donor.

Because it takes longer and it requires the machine, it is best to make an appointment to do a double red-cell donation, Ragone said. The last draw is done an hour before the blood drive ends, he said.

To be eligible, double red-cell donators must have at least 40 percent hematocrit – the percentage of iron in the red blood cells. Males must be at least 150 pounds, and be at least 5 feet, 1 inch; females must weigh at least 175 pounds, and be at least 5 feet, five inches. Donors with Type O or Type B blood are especially valuable.

After finishing my fruit juice, and regaining my composure and a bit of my pride, I got up at about the same time as King. Needing no juice or cookies, King walked out with me, and assured me that he wouldn’t tell anyone if I didn’t.

I guess the cat is out of the bag.

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