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Sharing Life Is the Most Meaningful Gift of All

What to give? What to give? We rack our brains every fall trying to decide what gifts our fathers, grandmothers or picky sisters will enjoy getting at holiday time.

This year, if you want to give something that is truly needed and will be appreciated beyond measure, consider giving the gift of life. Each one of us can make a difference in the world for someone who is struggling to recover from an illness or injury. You can give someone the chance to see their children grow up, reach their 25th wedding anniversary, see another sunrise, read another book, continue supporting their families and being productive members of society. . . .

You have the power to give such a meaningful gift. There are five ways that people can share life with others through donation, by giving: whole blood, blood components, bone marrow, organs and tissue, and cord blood.

Whole Blood

Loyola University Health System uses 50,000 blood products per year. It is only possible through ongoing community blood drives and the generosity of donors. Blood products are used to save people who have lost blood in an accident or during surgery, to replace blood cells lost during chemotherapy or to help people recovering from bone marrow transplantation.

Hospitals make the best use of every donation. The whole process takes only about 45 minutes, yet each blood donation - separated into red cells, plasma and platelets - can be used to help three or more different people.

Platelets

Platelets are the components of blood that assist in controlling bleeding. People with leukemia or other cancers often do not have enough of these blood cells.

While platelets can be harvested from a whole blood donation, modern technology has given rise to a newer, more efficient technique. During a procedure called apheresis, whole blood is taken from one arm of a donor and flows into a machine that separates out the platelets, while the remaining blood components are returned to the donor through the other arm. It takes about two hours, and some people think it is even easier than donating whole blood. One apheresis donor can provide the same amount of platelets as eight whole blood donors.  

Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is found inside a person's bones and is the factory for producing blood. Bone marrow transplants are used to treat about 60 life-threatening diseases, including leukemia, other cancers and serious blood disorders. In fact, it is the only real cure for many of these diseases.

Through a simple blood test, donors can be placed on the national bone marrow donor registry. Later, they may be called to help someone who matches their type and is in dire need, but they always have the option to decline. The actual donation can be done on an outpatient basis over about two days or in an operating room usually as same day surgery.

Organs and Tissue
A person can make a decision to donate their organs, note it on his driver's license and let family members know his wishes. Kidneys, hearts, livers, lungs, eyes, skin, bones and many more body parts can be used to help another person by replacing their damaged or diseased organs or tissue. More than 80,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant, and last year, about 6,000 people died while waiting. One donor may be able to help several other people who are on the waiting list.

Families considering donation are reassured to know that the process costs them nothing, is not disfiguring to the donor's body (therefore does not prevent an open casket funeral) and is approved by all the world's major religions. Even more important than signing an organ donor card, is discussing the desire to donate with family members, since the final decision lies with the individual's next of kin.

Cord blood

Medical research has led to the amazing discovery that the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta after a baby has been born can be used to treat a variety of life-threatening diseases. Cord blood is painlessly collected after the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut. It provides a rich source of stem cells, which are the building blocks of the immune system and can be used to treat leukemia, other cancers and blood disorders. (See the story about Adam McGillen on page 1.) Cord blood transplants most often are used to treat sick children.

By choosing one or more of these ways to give this holiday season, you can feel gratified that you have chosen the very best gift - the gift of life.

Penny Pearson, R.N., C.P.T.C.
Cardiothoracic Procurement Nurse
Loyola University Health System

Alan Hoffstadter
Technical Specialist
Blood Bank
Loyola University Health System

Blood - Participate in a blood drive at your neighborhood church, school or hospital, or call LifeSource (which supplies blood to Loyola and other hospitals) at 1-877-LIFESOURCE (or 1-877-543-3768) to make an appointment.

Platelets by Apheresis - Call the LUHS apheresis at (708) 216-9376 to make an appointment.
Bone Marrow - Call LifeSource at 1-877-LIFESOURCE (or 1-877-543-3768) to be placed on the national bone marrow donor registry.

Organs and Tissue - Sign a donor card, and tell your family that you would like to be a donor. The final decision rests with your next of kin. For information, log onto www.giftofhope.org or call 1-800-545-4438.

Cord Blood - If you are expecting a baby, tell your obstetrician prior to delivery about your wish to donate umbilical cord blood.

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