The North Avenue Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is set to host a blood donation drive to address the short supply in the country on Thursday, Sept. 30.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Sept. 23, the North Avenue Presbyterian Church has called qualified donors to donate blood in the North Avenue Presbyterian Church's Gym on Thursday.
The church wrote that the North Avenue Presbyterian Church acknowledged the country's critical blood supply shortage amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The church also sought the help of the public during the challenging times, according to the church's Facebook post.
Those interested to donate blood can visit the church's Facebook post for more information.
Types of Blood Donations
According to the Red Cross Blood organization, whole blood donation is the most flexible method of donation.
According to the Red Cross, it can be transfused whole or broken down into its components of red cells, plasma, and platelets, which can then be utilized to heal many patients.
Trauma patients and persons having surgery are regularly given whole blood, the Red Cross said.
During a Power Red donation, the donor gives a concentrated dose of red cells, which are the part of the donor's blood utilized every day for patients who require transfusions, the Red Cross stated on its website.
The Red Cross said this type of donation employs an automated process that separates red blood cells from other blood components before returning the donor's plasma and platelets safely and comfortably.
The organization said trauma patients, babies and emergency transfusions after birth, sickle cell anemia, and anyone suffering from blood loss is often given red cells from a Power Red donation.
An apheresis machine gathers the donor's platelets and some plasma during a platelet donation, returning the donor's red cells and most of the plasma to the donor, the organization's website stated.
A single platelet contribution can provide many transfusable units. Whereas a single transfusable unit of platelets requires five whole blood donations, it added.
The Red Cross organization said platelets are essential for cancer therapies, organ transplants, and other surgical procedures.
The Red Cross website gives plasma, a portion of the blood used to treat patients in emergency conditions, during an AB Elite donation.
Anyone, regardless of blood type, can get AB plasma. Plasma is collected using an automated technique that separates plasma from other blood components before returning the donor's red blood cells and platelets securely and pleasantly, the website stated.
The Red Cross added that the AB Elite maximizes blood donation while taking a few minutes longer than regular blood donation.
The AB Plasma is used to stop bleeding in emergency and trauma circumstances, according to Red Cross.
Who Can Donate
According to Red Cross, the donor must be at least 17-year-old or older to give whole blood in most states.
The charity requires a signed parental agreement form in states where 16-year-olds are permitted to give, the Red Cross stated.
The donor must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health, which means they feel fine and can usually go about their daily lives, the organization said on its website.
If a donor has a chronic condition like diabetes and wants to donate blood, it's critical to treat and manage the situation.
More stories from Crossmap:
Saint Mark United Methodist Church calls for donations to support AIDS, HIV health centers
Sandy Springs United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia to host blood donation drive
