The kindness of blood donors makes a world of difference in my life
Their donations help me maintain my quality of life with sickle cell disease
I recently had my first blood transfusion of the year. It’s one of the most common treatments for sickle cell disease.
Two types of transfusions are used to treat sickle cell patients: top-up, or simple, in which healthy blood is delivered through a cannula, and exchange, where sickled blood is slowly removed from the body and replaced with healthy donor blood. I’m on an exchange program, for which I have a port-a-cath.
This type of transfusion helps to protect me from iron overload, a side effect of long-term top-up transfusions. I dealt with this issue and shared my journey on this website; fortunately, my iron chelation treatments worked, and I no longer have iron overload. Further, blood transfusions may be used to treat sickle cell crises when a patient is at a hospital.
What an exchange transfusion looks like for me
I must undergo cross-match testing no more than 72 hours before my scheduled treatment to ensure the donor blood will be compatible with my own. Once the lab technicians have assessed my blood, the correct donor’s supply is selected and transported to the right location. It’s kept refrigerated until it’s ready to be used.
On the day of my transfusion, I’m connected to an apheresis machine via my port-a-cath. This machine pulls blood from my body and spins it to separate the sickled red cells from all the other products in my blood. It returns the latter to my bloodstream and disposes the sickled red cells into a bag. It also warms the donor blood and infuses it into my body.
The entire process takes several hours. On the day of treatment, I often feel tired and lethargic. That’s OK with me because having higher energy levels and reduced pain for the next four weeks — until my next treatment — makes the exchange worth it.
A note to blood donors
Based on the frequency of my treatments and the average number of units of blood I receive, I’ve estimated that it takes between 69 and 104 blood donors each year for me to receive my transfusions. Isn’t that phenomenal? So many people carve time out of their schedules to give blood to help a stranger like me. That’s an astounding act of kindness.
Sometimes I wonder who the donors are. Have we ever crossed paths? Maybe we sat next to each other on the train or passed each other at the supermarket.
Here in the U.K., donors receive a text informing them when their donation has been used and at which hospital. My husband is a blood donor and always appreciates these texts. It helps highlight to donors that their gifts were not in vain; because of their generosity, others get to live their lives.
When I consider my average week — going to work, spending time with family and friends, participating in hobbies, going to church — I realize that all of these activities, which contribute to my quality of life, are only possible because of the kindness of dozens of people each year. It’s mind-blowing.
So to all blood donors across the globe, I just want to say thank you. Your seemingly small sacrifice makes a world of difference to me and people like me.
Giving blood
If you’re able and willing, I’d ask that you consider giving blood. Transfusions aren’t reserved only for sickle cell patients; they may be necessary for people with other conditions, and even healthy and able-bodied people may face sudden issues or accidents that require a blood transfusion. But these treatments are only possible when people donate blood.
Please be advised that the belief that people with sickle cell trait cannot donate blood is a myth. Having the trait doesn’t make you ineligible, though it’s possible you may not be able to donate blood because of other health issues or complications.
We need numerous regular donors to ensure that blood is available for anyone who needs it. To learn more about giving blood, check out NHS Blood and Transplant website in the U.K. and the American Red Cross in the U.S.
Note: Sickle Cell Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Sickle Cell Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to sickle cell disease.
About the Author
Leave a comment
Fill in the required fields to post. Your email address will not be published.