The Journey of Blood

Blood- the life source Slide 1: Blood is a scarce and vital national resource which cannot be synthesized. About 80 million unit of blood are donated annually. The need for blood

My blood consists of …… Slide 3: Blood is made up of cells (45%) and a fluid part, the plasma (55%). The cells are of 3 types - red blood cells (which transport oxygen in the body), white blood cells (that fight infection) and platelets (that help the blood to clot). The plasma contains vital proteins involved in blood clotting and defense against infection.

My gift of life- donor

I give only a component of blood Slide 4: Current technology of cell removal (cytapheresis) permits automated collection and processing of blood to provide large numbers of different blood cells without affecting the health of the donor. Only the cell of interest is collected and rest of the blood is returned to the donor. For this to be possible, it is essential that every nation has a stable pool of healthy donors who donate blood regularly. A country can be be self-sufficient in blood, if only X% of its population donates blood.

Slide 6: There has been a dramatic increase in safety of blood supplies, but this often comes at a high cost. All donated blood is tested to find the blood group type and screened for infections like HIV, hepatitis B & C and syphilis. In countries where malaria or Chagas disease are common, the blood may be tested for these too. Current testing techniques are expensive and not readily available everywhere. The problem is further compounded by the emergence of new microbes that may be transmitted via blood. This results in rejection of blood donors and the need for even more sophisticated tests. Is my blood safe?

My blood is separated into different components Slide 5: Blood is a living tissue that has to be stored in blood banks prior to use. Storage requires the use of non-toxic preservatives that can maintain the viability and function of cells. This has led to the development of a variety of chemicals that prevent clotting of blood, preservatives that maintain cells and newer storage materials that enhance the shelf life of blood and blood components.

Testing

Blood Cold Chain- A vital link to store blood Slide 8: Red blood cells are given to patients suffering from severe anaemia arising from a variety of causes - genetic diseases like thalassaemia & sickle cell anaemia, chronic kidney or liver disease or severe malaria in children. Platelets are used to prevent bleeding in patients suffering from diseases that affect the number of platelets or their function. White blood cells are given to patients having low neutrophil counts suffering from severe bacterial or fungal infection, especially those following bone marrow transplant or cancer therapy.

My donation can save more than one patient Slide 3: Modern transfusion practice avoids the use of whole blood and aims to provide the specific blood component needed in a particular clinical condition. Thus, red blood cells are used for their ability to carry oxygen, platelets and plasma for some types of bleeding disorders and white blood cells (mainly a type called neutrophils) to fight infections. By using component therapy, there is optimal utilization of a limited community resource.

Can my blood be transfused to a patient Slide 9: Individuals receiving blood or blood components can suffer from an untoward reaction as a consequence, called a transfusion reaction. These may occur within minutes to hours of transfusion or may be seen days, months or even years later. These complications may occur due to an immunological reaction, bacterial contamination or transmission of an infective agent.

Saving lives Slide 7: Whole blood is used in conditions where there is extensive loss of blood like trauma due to accidents or injuries and many surgical procedures. It is also required in newborns who need an exchange transfusion. Plasma and plasma products are required to treat a variety of conditions that include bleeding, fluid loss, infections, immunological disease etc. It is imperative that safe blood be available at all times to anyone who needs it.

Your blood saved my life