Although all blood types are needed and appreciated, we have a special need for A+, O+and O-. We are also in need of platelet donors.
While red blood cells are transfused more often than other blood products,
platelets are still vital. Red cells carry the oxygen our bodies need, white
cells help fight infection and platelets help stop bleeding. When there is a
bleed in our body it triggers platelets to accumulate at the site of the bleed
to act as a plug or band-aid. Platelets only survive 7-12 days in our bodies
and some individuals are unable to make enough platelets on their own to
stop a bleed. Other patients have so much bleeding that they use up their
platelets and need additional platelets to survive. While whole blood has a
shelf life of 42 days and people can donate every 56 days, platelets only
have a shelf life of 5 days so we need to constantly replenish the supply.
Platelet donors are eligible to donate every two weeks if they have not
donated whole blood in the previous 56 days. Two types of patients that
use platelets regularly are cancer patients and neonates (premature babies).
With cancer patients chemotherapy often inhibits bone marrow to produce any
of the three blood cells so people become immunocomprimised, anemic and
prone to bruises and bleeding from the lack of platelets. In the case of premature
babies, their bone marrow has not started to produce platelets yet and they
are usually anemic and immunocomprimised as well. To schedule an
appointment to donate platelets or blood, or for more information please
call Central Illinois Community Blood Center at 1-866-GIVE-BLD.
Donating blood is safe and easy. You must be 17 years old, 16 with a
signed parental consent form, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health.
You can donate blood every 56 days. If you are eligible to donate or if
you have any questions about donating blood please call 217-753-1530
in Springfield or 618-659-0542 in Edwardsville for more information.
For your convenience you can schedule an appointment at any blood drive
or at the Blood Center in Springfield.
Click here to schedule an appointment to donate blood
Click here for a list of blood drives by county in May
Click here for a list of blood drives by date in May
Click here for the location and contact information for our Blood Center.
The CICBC provides life-saving blood and blood products to 19 hospitals in
central and southwestern Illinois. Donated by thousands of people, the blood is
used to save lives in surgeries, traumas, cancer treatments and treatment of
a wide variety of diseases. Our work is accomplished through blood donors,
blood drive sponsors and our Center's dedicated staff. We are proud of the
fact that we serve humanity by collecting the blood and blood products that
make the difference between life and death to many people each year. This
website extends our public awareness and education programs that call
attention to the importance of blood donation.
|
