Do you know your type?

I know my blood type, do you know yours? It's actually a rather important personal item to know - in the case of emergency you may be able to relay that information to attending doctors so they can better care for you. If you donate blood with the Red Cross (or other local blood banks) you will be notified of your type so that if there is an urgent need in the future, you can assist again. But here is a general overlay of blood types -

Although all blood is made of the same basic elements, not all blood is alike. In fact, there are eight different common blood types, which are determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens – substances that can trigger an immune response if they are foreign to the body. Since some antigens can trigger a patient's immune system to attack the transfused blood, safe blood transfusions depend on careful blood typing and cross-matching.

In the ABO Blood Group System there are four major blood groups determined by the presence or absence of two antigens – A and B – on the surface of red blood cells:

•Group A – has only the A antigen on red cells (and B antibody in the plasma)
•Group B – has only the B antigen on red cells (and A antibody in the plasma)
•Group AB – has both A and B antigens on red cells (but neither A nor B antibody in the plasma)
•Group O – has neither A nor B antigens on red cells (but both A and B antibody are in the plasma)

There are very specific ways in which blood types must be matched for a safe transfusion:
Blood Group "O" - Is a universal donor and can donate red blood cells to anyone.
Blood Group "A" - Can only donate red blood cells to "A's" or "AB's"
Blood Group "B" - Can only donate red blood cells to "B's" or "AB's"
Blood Group "AB" - Can only donate red blood cells to other "AB's" but can receive from all others.

In addition to the A and B antigens, there is a third antigen called the Rh factor, which can be either present (+) or absent ( – ). In general, Rh negative blood is given to Rh-negative patients, and Rh positive blood or Rh negative blood may be given to Rh positive patients.

•The universal red cell donor has Type O negative blood type.
•The universal plasma donor has Type AB positive blood type.

O positive is the most common blood type. Not all ethnic groups have the same mix of these blood types. Hispanic people, for example, have a relatively high number of O’s, while Asian people have a relatively high number of B’s.

Some patients require a closer blood match than that provided by the ABO positive/negative blood typing. For example, sometimes if the donor and recipient are from the same ethnic background the chance of a reaction can be reduced. That’s why an African-American blood donation may be the best hope for the needs of patients with sickle cell disease, 98 percent of whom are of African-American descent.

How is your blood type determined? It’s inherited. Like eye color, blood type is passed genetically from your parents. Whether your blood group is type A, B, AB or O is based on the blood types of your mother and father

Take the time to find our your blood type - it just could save your own life - or you can help save the lives of others.

A Perfect Day

Living with severe anemia can be a roller coaster ride that you just can't get off of if not treated properly, and for some of us, even though treated, the ride slows down, but you never get off.

As I head for extensive testing today - mostly to discern if current medications are adequately addressing my needs, I am nervous though hopeful. As an "experienced patient", I can say without testing, that I have not been feeling well for the last month and am not really looking forward to the results. Even taking my meds regularly is no guarantee that all of the blood counts will be positive.

There have been new regulations set forth on meds treating iron-deficiency, specifically for oncology patients, which are the meds I take. To date, there has been no settlement on the new meds that will be released but with any hope, they will be more effective than the current options.

I as look through the news on Anemia, I see that actress Brittany Murphy, who recently died, was also a severe Anemic. One of the cause of death is thought to be a result of her Anemia and complications with cold medicines. I am personally concerned when taking cold or flu medicines because of potential problems and avoid ibuprofen as it acts as a blood thinner. Then on the other side of news you see Venus Williams has also suffered from severe Anemia - this did cause her to drop from a championship match in 2000, however, as we all know, she has rebounded well.

While the treatment of Anemia can seem simple to some, it can be a debilitating blood disorder that needs to be treated regularly. Today is a 15-20 tube day - meaning they take alot to run all the tests they need just to see if I will need another transfusion - seems like a little awkward doesn't it? Taking away the precious life-blood I need so badly - although it's also iron-infusion time which depending on the amount can be a 4-10 hour process - it's a long day, but it helps me see another day and my daughter's bright smile. Sounds like a perfect day to me.

Cord Blood: A Baby's Gift

Have you ever heard of Cord Blood Donation? It's a unique gift that precious little ones and their parents can give.

Cord blood is the blood that remains in your baby's umbilical cord after the cord has been cut. Doctors have discovered that cord blood, like bone marrow, is a rich source of unique stem cells that can be used in medical treatments.

Cord blood banking is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for parents to collect and preserve the stem cells from their baby's umbilical cord blood for potential medical uses. Saving cord blood stem cells ensures these lifesaving cells are immediately available to your child and family if ever needed. By saving your baby's stem cells with a Cord Blood Registry, your child and family can have access to better medical treatment options or cures for cancers, as well as potential treatments for conditions such as brain injury and juvenile diabetes.

If you choose not to bank your baby's cord blood, it is discarded after birth.

Stem cells are the body's "master" cells and can become any type of cell in the human body. The first use of stem cells in medicine was to regenerate healthy blood and immune cells in cancer patients.

•Cord blood stem cells have been used to treat nearly 80 serious diseases, including leukemia, other cancers, and blood disorders.
•Cord blood stem cells have also shown promise in regenerative medicine for treating medical conditions such as brain injury, cerebral palsy, and juvenile diabetes. They are actively being researched for use in reversing hearing loss and growing replacement tissue and organs, like heart valves and blood vessels.

Collecting cord blood is a simple, safe, and painless procedure that usually takes less than five minutes. Cord blood is collected immediately after your baby is born. After the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord is drawn into a collection bag. The collection procedure is safe for both the mother and baby and can be performed after vaginal or cesarean births.

After your baby's cord blood has been collected, it is returned to the specialized Cord Blood Registry Cell Advantage Collection Kit and then shipped to the laboratory by a private medical courier for processing and storage.

The chance to save your baby's or another person's life, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. This process is easy, painless, and will gift the gift of life like no other blood donation can for some people - please donate blood, and if you are pregnant, consider Cord Blood Donation.

March is Red Cross Month

That's right - The American Red Cross has their very own month!

Starting with Franklin D Roosevelt in 1943, every sitting President has proclaimed March as Red Cross Month.

What does this mean for you? Red Cross Month is a time to celebrate the great support many give to the organization and to thank many for their generous gifts. Many people have positively changed the lives of others.

This is also the time, as FDR so eloquently suggested, for Americans to

“rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.”

Here are a few ways you can do just that:

- Call your local chapter and find out how you can get involved today.
- Find a local blood drive and donate.
- Join the ARC on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, and LinkedIn

Saving lives through blood donation is an excellent way to share your support through the American Red Cross. I encourage each of you to celebrate American Red Cross Month this March and thank each of you that take the time to donate blood.