CityView Magazine

34 Januar y 2022 positive and O negative blood. "O positive is the most transfused, and O negative is the universal blood type that can be transfused to anyone," she said. According to the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies, a single unit of blood can meet several needs. Red blood cells can be extracted and used to treat patients who have lost blood through trauma or surgery. Plasma is typically given to those requiring treatment to improve blood clotting. Platelets serve to help clot the blood when cuts or other open wounds occur and are oen used in the treatment of patients with cancer or those undergoing cardiac surgery. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit oen also uses platelets for vital transfusions in preterm infants. Most people donate whole blood, which takes only about 45 minutes to an hour and can be donated about every two months. Platelet donations take longer, between two and three hours. "A lot of cancer patients require platelet transfusions because their treatment kills off their good cells with their bad," Graham said. "In order to continue treatment, their platelet count has to be high enough to withstand treatment. Platelets only last for five days, so we're constantly in need of new platelet donors. at's why this type of donation is so critical." Jennifer Buchanan's mother long ago instilled in her the importance of community service. It was a lesson that has stayed with Buchanan from the time she was a child growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota. She long ago became a regular blood donor, then began donating platelets over a decade ago when her husband was stationed with the Army in Hawaii. At last count, she had donated an amazing 17 gallons of platelets. She has passed on that legacy to her adult children, who have been donating since they were 16 years old. "I like the fact that I'm giving something back," Buchanan said. For Olivia Watler, those who give have in turn allowed her to continue to do her own good work. And her ability to help others keeps her from dwelling on the challenges she faces. "I think this has helped me because it's not as if I'm staying at home in bed," she said. "I'm not about to sit there and roll over and die. I am grateful for my life, as I continue in my healing." Jennifer Buchanan long ago became a regular blood donor, then began donating platelets over a decade ago when her husband was stationed with the Army in Hawaii. At last count, she had donated an amazing 17 gallons of platelets.

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