Blood and platelet donors can play an important role in supporting patients throughout cancer treatment
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is reminding communities across Alabama, Florida and Georgia that there is another meaningful way to support local people facing breast cancer: donating blood.
For patients undergoing breast cancer treatment, donated blood and platelets can be an important part of their care. Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments can affect the bone marrow’s ability to produce healthy blood cells. When blood cell counts become too low, patients may need red blood cell transfusions to help carry oxygen throughout the body or platelet transfusions to help prevent or control bleeding.
Unlike many other lifesaving medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured. Hospitals depend on volunteer donors to ensure blood products are available when cancer patients and others need them. Unlike many blood centers, blood donated at LifeSouth stays local, saving the lives of patients within the community they serve.
Cancer patients are among the many patients who depend on a consistent community blood supply. Patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, those having surgery and patients with blood cancers may all require transfusions during treatment.
Platelet donors are especially important for patients undergoing certain cancer treatments. Platelets are the cells in blood that help control bleeding, and some cancer treatments can cause platelet counts to fall to dangerously low levels. One platelet donation can provide as many of these blood-clotting cells as approximately five whole blood donations.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, LifeSouth encourages community members to support young cancer patients by:
- Giving blood. Whole blood donations can provide red blood cells and other components needed by cancer patients and many others receiving lifesaving medical care.
- Considering platelet donation. Platelet transfusions are essential in treating many types of cancer, and platelet donors can give more frequently than whole blood donors.
- Becoming a regular donor. Cancer treatment can last months or years, and patients need blood throughout the year, not just during awareness months.
- Hosting a blood drive. Businesses, schools, churches and community organizations can bring donors together to help ensure local hospitals have the blood products their patients need.
LifeSouth provides blood products to hospitals and EMS agencies throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Donations made with LifeSouth help support patients receiving care in the communities LifeSouth serves.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with written parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and meet additional eligibility requirements. A photo ID is required.
To find a LifeSouth donor center or blood drive, schedule an appointment or learn more about whole blood and platelet donation, visit LifeSouth.org or call 888-795-2707.
