The Blood Center of Wisconsin Needs You!

From my inbox:

The snowstorm that hit much of Wisconsin today is having an impact on blood donations. We anticipate a shortage of more than 1,000 units of blood over the next two days.

The safety of donors is our first priority. We ask those who are able to safely keep their scheduled appointments to please do so. If you are unable to keep your appointment because of the weather, we ask that you call to reschedule for Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Call 1-877-BE-A-HERO or visit .

• All blood types are needed, but there is a particular need for O Negative blood and platelets. In order to ensure we can meet the needs of patients, BloodCenter has extended its donor center hours at several locations this Saturday, Dec. 22 for whole blood appointments. BloodCenter staff will be on hand until 3:00 p.m. at the Brown Deer, Greenfield, Racine, Waukesha, Wauwatosa and West Bend locations.
• Because platelets are critically important, 4 of our locations will be open BY APPOINTMENT this Sunday for platelet donors, including Greenfield, Waukesha, Wauwatosa and West Bend from 6 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The end of the year is already a challenging time for blood collection when people are busier than usual with holiday activities and travel. Combining that with the current weather situation, the need for blood products is real, and we are asking you to seriously consider making a donation as soon as possible.
On behalf of patients and their loved ones, thank you very much.

My appointment to donate platelets is Friday afternoon, now go make your appointment now.

The Blood Center Needs Your Help

Summers are always rough on the Blood Center of Wisconsin. Regular donors are busy with vacations and other things, and lose track of when they can donate, so their supply levels drop.

To make things worse, because people are out doing things that are more physical, there is a higher percentage of injuries.

Higher demands and lower supplies puts them in a rough spot. Now, with last week’s flooding, things are even tighter for them.

They are asking for people to help by donating whole blood. They also especially need help with getting platelets, which help clot wounds. There need is so great that they have expanded their hours to Sundays for platelet donations. (My appointment to donate platelets is Saturday afternoon.)

So, if you can squeeze an hour or two from your busy schedules, please take the time to donate. You will be helping more people than you realize, you’ll feel good about yourself, and you get cookies and coffee afterwards. It’s a win-win-win for all involved.

You can schedule your appointment to donate by visiting their website or by calling 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-232-4376).

(Cross-posted where I can.)

My Liberal Bleeding Heart

When I was a teenager and well into my 20s, I used to donate blood, and periodically, platelets, at the Milwaukee Blood Center. Unfortunately, in my mid-20s, I was diagnosed with a genetic condition that required that I take medication for the rest of my life. (No, not mental illness, or any life threatening condition.) Due to the medication, I was no longer eligible to donate blood, and I put that down as just part of my past.

When I was able to donate blood, I had also signed up for the bone marrow transplant program, in case they ever needed a volunteer. I had forgotten about that as well, until this afternoon.

I received a call from the Blood Center. They told me that there was a patient that needed a bone marrow donor and that I was listed as a potential match. They wanted to know if I was still interested.

Without hesitation, I said I was, and we went through the basic information. Height, weight (she wouldn't accept "too much" as an answer by the way), general health, etc. However, I told the technician that I was still on that medication, and that they had told me that I couldn't donate blood anymore. I wasn't using it as an excuse, but I didn't want to waste their time and resources if I was a dead end. She took down the information on what medication I was on and said that she would call me back later today or tomorrow, after she checked it out with the physician.

She called back within the hour and told me that not only was I cleared to proceed with the bone marrow, but I couldn't also start donating blood again. Ah, the wonders of modern medicine. I go in tomorrow after work to have some blood samples taken to be tested against the patient's. I don't know what the odds are, but they told me that they would let me know one way or the other.

I realize all of this is rather mundane, but I am excited. If nothing else, I now can resume donating blood again. It's not much, but is is needed, and it is kind of cool just knowing that maybe, just maybe, I might be able to help someone out who really needs it.