Allergens in Donated Blood

Eating the right foods and staying fit are important to being healthy. Eating almonds or other specific nuts can be good for you since they are low in saturated fats, packed with protein and antioxidants. Unfortunately, there are many people that are allergic to nuts, specifically peanuts.

Prior to donating, donors are asked to eat that morning and drink plenty of water. Never has anyone been instructed to restrain from eating nuts. Well, it has been determined that the first case of donated blood tainted with peanuts triggered an allergic reaction in it's 6 year-old recipient.

Peanut Tainted Blood

In the article above, you will see that the tainted blood product was traced back to three donors who consumed peanuts the night BEFORE they donated. The major allergen in peanuts, Ara h2, is extremely resistant to digestion because of a peptide that can show up in blood serum for up to 24 hours after ingestion. The recipient was also highly allergic to the protein that can last in the blood stream.In the reverse they are seeing in rare cases, that patients not previously allergic to nuts may now be allergic after receiving a transfusion.

It seems that these complex issues are being reviewed by laboratories across the globe and will likely mean new screening policies instituted and perhaps, a restriction of no nuts 24 to 48 prior to donating. But, with so many individuals allergic to nuts, restricting or screening someone's diet can be extremely difficult.

I would say be aware of what you are eating for a day or two prior to donating and know that adverse reactions can occur in any recipient. I know that when I receive a transfusion, I am highly allergic to the iron that is infused with the plasma and require a very heavy dosage of steroids to combat the problem. It's a life-saving cocktail to say the least.

Be aware, be informed and keep donating!

American Red Cross Sponsor Video

Sometimes, it takes me a while to figure things out, even after many trials and lots of errors!

In 2009, The American Red Cross, asked me to participate in a PSA/Sponsorship Video taping. The sponsorship portion of the taping was and is used as a way for the the blood drive coordinators to engage with potential sponsors and to say thank you to donors, sponsors, volunteers etc. Without going into the specific details, I was able to highlight my need for blood donations. Although, I do admit that even I got my units transfused incorrect that day since it was 6 not 5, I think the camera sucked my memory from me - this was also prior to learning about the Autoimmune Pernicious Anemia. A few years and a lot of transfusions later, this still rings true.

I have had the video for some time but have had a difficult time uploading it for everyone to see since it's not on YouTube and is pretty lengthy. Hopefully, if I have done things correctly, you will be able to see it here, although I make no technical-proficient promise!

(I will be the third interview in the video, please listen to each story to see the vast differences in needs and stay tuned for a quick thank you after the instruction segment.)



This video, in addition to the 2011 "Be Extraordinary" National Campaign, will ensure that the message that "It's Hip 2 Give" is being heard across the mid-atlantic and the United States. It also means lives are being saved, one pint at a time.

Memorial Day Weekend: Summer Begins

Perhaps not the "official" start to summer, but for many, it means that school is nearly over, vacations will begin, the hurricane season is drawing near, and that the blood supply across the nation will decrease, significantly.

Just like in years past, I am noting that Memorial Day Weekend is the start of the decline and it will continue over the summer. If you read just a few of my posts from the last year, 2010 Memorial Day and Saving Our Heroes, you will know that this is an annual cycle that seems difficult to break.

This is a holiday dedicated to honoring those men and women that serve our country and those that have given their life to protecting our country and our freedom. There is little in my life that I will ever do that will compare with their gift of service. But I also know that they, just like everyday citizens, can require the gift of life through blood donation.

Blood donation saves the lives of millions - it does not know race, gender, location, age, religion, or class - it never discriminates and it is needed across the globe.

As we honor the fallen and praise those who serve, I am also reminded that hurricane season begins on June 1. As if that isn't enough to be concerned with, we have also been facing an increased number of Tornados in the most unlikely of places. This past week, as I traveled across the mid-west, my flight plans were changed, re-routed, and grounded at every airport I visited and while I may have grown weary after a 2 day travel schedule was extended into 4, I am grateful that I was given a second chance at life because of blood donors. (Needless to say, this trip was an adventure and I will post about it after I recover from no sleep, no luggage and no phone!)

As you head out to a picnic, the beach or a BBQ this weekend, think about those that serve our country and how you can support them. Of course, you should always try to donate blood. After all, those that serve do so never knowing who you are, but are willing to save your life and defend your rights. Can't you be willing to donate blood without knowing whose life you will save?

Blood Transfusions Help in Cancer Treatment

I have stated numerous times during speeches, open forum discussions and general conversations that cancer patients can require regular transfusions during their treatments. Take the time to read this heart-warming story about a patient diagnosed with Stage 4 - Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2005 and how blood transfusions have helped keep him alive.

UNC-Chapel Hill Blood Drive


From the article: “Blood transfusions are critical to the successful treatments of patients with diseases like cancer when they are undergoing chemotherapy, as well as patients in surgery where loss of blood during the operation can be a major problem,” - “While we try to reduce transfusions, we can never avoid them altogether and would be unable to undertake life-saving treatments like organ or bone marrow transplants unless we had blood products such as red blood cells or platelets available for our patients.”

Blood transfusions and the availability of blood products have a direct impact on many other treatments, surgeries, and long-term recovery directives. Whether a blood drive is scheduled in your area or you need to visit a blood bank, I encourage you to donate today.

North Carolina is the state that holds my heart and is where my family calls home. If you are in the UNC Chapel Hill area on June 7, I suggest you visit this annual blood drive to help those in your community, in your town, and in your family.

Blocked from the Peloton

Last October, I wrote a post titled Cycling: Blood Doping through Transfusions. Seems the issue is never far from the headlines in the field of racing but it does look like a no tolerance stance is being taken by some teams.

In February, a cyclist, Riccardo Ricco, was fired from his team after being treated for an auto-transfusion gone wrong. Yes, I did say auto-transfusion. He attempted the highly complicated and precise procedure of a transfusion on himself after storing his own blood in the refrigerator for 25 days. Many variables are involved and can go wrong - from the blood being stored at the incorrect temperature to the filtering and screening of the blood, even if it is your own.

For the full details read this article from Cycling Weekly: Ricco Talks of Returning to Cycling, but no one is listening.

In the end, I am glad that the cycling community is taking a tougher stance on the issue and blocking this rider from the peloton. In a world where there are many people that need blood transfusions to just survive, I still do not see the benefit of having a transfusion just to gain a little more energy or 10 more seconds in a race. After all, in the 10 seconds someone gained in a race, 5 people could have died because they needed that blood transfusion more than the rider.

Smuggling Blood for Mom

In the United States, we may have periods of time where our blood supply is low or only a few days reserve. But can you imagine arriving at a hospital with a life-threatening injury and being told "Go find your own blood donors"? Think about it, not only are you or someone you love in the hospital for treatment, but now you are in charge of administering your own care?

This is just the case in Mexico. Hospitals in Mexico are responsible for banking their own blood and therefore, do not keep supplies on the shelf. With the increase in crimes of drug-related violence, patients are routinely admitted with gunshot wounds or worse and their families are instructed to recruit donors. The blood shortage is unprecedented.

Only 3% of Mexican citizens donate blood on a voluntary basis. The rest are strictly by immediate request and those donors can not always be dependable. In one such case, Martin Gomez's mother became ill and required a transfusion. No local hospital had a blood supply and instead, he chose to escape across the Mexico/US Border to El Paso, TX where he was able to get the necessary pints of blood from United Blood Services. (UBS)

He then smuggled those pints back to his mother in Mexico where she was finally able to receive a transfusion. Unfortunately, Mr. Gomez's mother passed away later after complications, but Mr. Gomez never forgot the gift of life that United Blood Services gave. Now, Mr. Gomez lives in El Paso and works for UBS.

Now, UBS, an independent blood center partner with America's Blood Centers, is working with the Chihuahua State Blood Transfusion Center in northern Mexico by donating equipment and providing training/education on banking blood. Now, the Chihuahua region has the highest voluntary donor rate in Mexico with 28%.

Through this partnership, there is an uprising of unity for a voluntary blood supply that hospitals will be able to rely on. This includes in areas where many Americans may visit for vacation or spring break. There are regions that are not as receptive to this idea, likely because they are in such high crime areas and it can be difficult to recruit necessary donors.

Through this partnership, the proper education is in place to continue increasing donor numbers while bringing a new field of interest for future employment and community care. The need for blood is universal and knows no border. By taking the time to teach, educate, and recruit we can increase the global blood supply and save more lives, one pint at a time.

NPR Interview on Mexican Drug War Affecting Blood Supply.

Stroke Awareness Month

Did you know that MAY is National Stroke Awareness Month?

This month, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association is presenting the Power To End Stroke (PTES). PTES is an education and awareness campaign that embraces and celebrates the culture, energy, creativity and lifestyles of Americans. It unites people to help make an impact on the high incidence of stroke within their communities.


PTES was created by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in 2006 to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke by 25% by 2010. It was also meant to raise critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but African Americans are at particularly high risk. Consider this:

•Blacks have almost twice the risk of first-ever strokes compared to whites.
•Blacks have higher death rates for stroke compared to whites.
•The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world.

I have taken the time to blog in the past about my family's history regarding strokes and know that in the future, the risk of a stroke happening to someone in my family, is extraordinarily high. Knowing family history is just as important as knowing the warning signs of a stroke and just simply understanding what a stroke is.

Education and community efforts with the American Stroke & Heart Association are possible through a long list of affiliates and sponsors. These organizations, like the Sickle Cell Anemia Association, are working together to help end the #3 killer of all Americans. Through Go Red for Women and PTES, the American Stroke & Heart Associations are ensuring that no minority group will be left out and that everyone has the same access to the information.

Did you know?

* 76.4 million people over the age of 20 have high blood pressure?
* 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure but 21% of those don't know it?
* Every 40 seconds someone has a stroke.
* 795,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year.

Follow the links below to learn more about the warning signs, what a stroke is, and more. Through education, personal care, and being an advocate, we all hold the Power To End Stroke.

Power To End Stroke
American Stroke/Heart Association

As if I haven't said it before, taking care of your heart is VITAL to being a blood donor, but more importantly, to enjoying a long, happy life!