Blood is an essential part of our body’s mechanism that is necessary for us to function. Blood helps transport nutrients such as oxygen into the lungs and tissues, prevent excessive bleeding by creating blood clots, and carry cells and antibodies to fight disease or infection. Cancer patients are particularly in need of blood transfusions. Here we will discuss the various ways you can help those suffering from cancer, and how a biorepository clinic can help.
Blood is made up of numerous cells that help it function properly. These cells include:
Red blood cells: Red blood cells are critical to fighting disease. They contain hemoglobin, a protein molecule that plays a critical role in maintaining the shape of red blood cells. It is responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout our blood. The iron within hemoglobin also causes the red color you see in blood. Hemoglobin levels can be tested by machines designed to study blood. The normal hemoglobin range is 4.5-6.2 million for men and 4.0-5.2 million for women.
Platelets: Platelets are a small, colorless disk-shaped cell fragment that is responsible for the self-healing functions of our body. They are found in large amounts within the blood and help create blood clots to prevent bleeding. Healthy platelets assist in the process of hemostasis, thrombosis, and wound healing. When platelets are low, life-threatening bleeding can occur, which is particularly dangerous for cancer patients who might have frequent surgeries or treatments.
Plasma: Plasma is a yellow liquid that carries the red blood cells, platelets, cells, proteins, and antibodies. Plasma donations are particularly important because they contain a very high concentration of blood-clotting proteins, however, not many cancer patients require plasma transfusions.
Why Blood Donations are Necessary for Cancer Patients
Cancer is incredibly taxing on the human body and requires a lot of assistance from medicine and blood products. Extra blood is crucial to their treatment, so healthy individuals need to donate blood when possible. Some patients will require extra whole blood or small portions known as platelets. Cancer or the treatment of cancer can cause low red blood count in patients, which is necessary for them to effectively fight their disease.
Here are two common symptoms cancer patients experience during treatment, and how blood transfusions can help:
Anemia: Anemia occurs when you lack enough healthy red blood cells to transport enough oxygen to the tissue in your body, leaving you feeling fatigued and weak.
Thrombocytopenia: Thrombocytopenia occurs when the bone marrow in a patient’s body is damaged. This damage can occur through chemotherapy, a common treatment for many cancers such as lymphoma or leukemia.
Many blood donation organizations will check donated blood for unhealthy red blood cell antibodies that might harm the receiving patient, and the healthy samples are stored in a blood bank.
What to Expect
While there is a high demand for blood donations, there are many factors that must be considered before accepting a donor. Here are some things you can expect the blood bank to consider before you become a donor:
Medication: People who are prescribed or are taking blood-thinners (ex. Aspirin, Warfarin, Eliquis, Heparin, etc) may have to wait until the medication has been removed from their system. People who take antibiotics to fight infection will have to wait until they are healed and off antibiotics before they can donate.
Certain Health Conditions: People who have been diagnosed with low blood pressure, heart conditions, or viruses such as HIV or hepatitis, typically cannot donate blood to cancer patients.
Pregnancy: Pregnant women are not allowed to donate blood and must wait 6 weeks after giving birth to donate.
Travel: Traveling to or living in certain countries can disqualify you from donating blood to cancer patients. The countries that may disqualify you typically have high rates of malaria or other viruses. Typically you can wait to donate, however.
History of Cancer: People who have suffered from cancer, particularly leukemia or lymphoma, in the past may not qualify to donate blood to current patients.
Platelets Donation Process
Donating platelets is similar to donating blood, and the process is known as apheresis. Blood is removed from the arm and a centrifuge separates the platelets from the blood. The remaining blood is returned to the donor. This process maximizes the number of platelets collected, rather than a regular, whole-blood donation. People who are planning on donating platelets will be given instructions to prepare for the donation.
Plasma Donation Process
Plasma donation is known as plasmapheresis and requires a process that can take up to an hour. Donors are required to be at least 18 years of age, must weigh at least 110 lbs, and must complete two separate medical screenings. These medical screenings include a medical history screening and a test for transmissible viruses. If these requirements are met, an individual may donate plasma to cancer patients. Donating plasma is completely safe, however, your hemoglobin levels must be tested after to ensure your health.
Speak with your doctor before donating blood and they will be able to properly prepare you, or advise you against it if it’s not in the best interest of your well-being.
How a Biorepository Can Help
Biorepositories act as a library of biospecimens for medical research to further advance our treatments and medicine as a whole. If you don’t qualify to donate blood to cancer patients, you can still donate your blood to a biorepository for medical research and help scientists conduct research. We proudly collect whole blood samples, serum samples, and plasma samples. Our blood and plasma sample inventory is collected from a variety of donors, including:
Systemic Autoimmune Condition (i.e., Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and more)
Benign condition
Cancer
CNS Disorders (i.e., depression, bipolar disorder, autism, ADHD, addiction, and more)
Normal donors
Pediatric conditions
Pregnant donors
If you are interested in purchasing any of our samples, feel free to contact us.
Resources
https://www.medicinenet.com/hemoglobin/article.htm
https://www.cancer.net/blog/2017-03/help-people-with-cancer-donate-blood-and-platelets
https://www.drugwatch.com/health/cardiovascular-health/blood-thinners/
https://uihc.org/health-topics/complete-blood-count-guide-patients-cancer
https://www.donatingplasma.org/donation/donor-faq
