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“Most donors find the process painless and<br />
heartwarming,” says Radenz.<br />
Until the 1950s, blood was transfused exactly<br />
as it was collected—in its “whole” state. Today,<br />
blood can be separated in several components<br />
such as red cells (used by surgical patients),<br />
plasma (shock, burn and accident patients),<br />
platelets (leukemia and other cancer patients)<br />
and cryoprecipitate (patients with hemophilia<br />
and other clotting disorders). Since most patients<br />
require a specific blood product, a single donation<br />
can benefit several people.<br />
“The holidays are a challenging time for<br />
blood donations,” says Radenz. “People do a<br />
lot of traveling and they have other things, like<br />
Christmas parties and shopping, on their minds.”<br />
Bismarck’s UBS center is conveniently located<br />
at 517 S. 7th St., across from Kirkwood Mall. As<br />
you begin your holiday shopping, why not call<br />
them and schedule an appointment? You could<br />
give no greater gift.<br />
For more information, visit the UBS website at<br />
www.unitedbloodservices.org. Call 258-4512 or<br />
1-800-456-6159 to schedule an appointment.<br />
Blood Donation Facts<br />
• 90 percent of the population will use<br />
blood before age 72.<br />
• Every two seconds someone in the<br />
U.S. needs blood.<br />
• In the time it takes you to donate,<br />
1,800 people across the U.S. have<br />
needed blood.<br />
• Just one blood donation can save up<br />
to three lives of area patients.<br />
• Whole blood is good for only<br />
42 days. Other components like<br />
platelets are good for only five days.<br />
Just one emergency or disaster can<br />
deplete an entire supply of a certain<br />
blood type.<br />
November 2009 11
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