What’s your type? CHRISTUS Health encourages blood donation

January is National Blood Donor Month, and CHRISTUS Health encourages the community to learn about the importance of blood donation to help meet the ongoing need to save lives through giving blood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets.

“National Blood Donor Month helps raise awareness, but the reality is that the need for blood is constant,” said Dr. Kris Sullivan, regional director of laboratory for CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Health System. “Blood is needed right now to care for patients facing emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments and other serious medical conditions. Donations from our community are essential to making sure lifesaving care is always available.”

Blood bank specialists determine blood type based on whether there is antigen A or B on red blood cells. They also look for a protein called the Rh factor. They classify blood types as either positive (+) if the protein is present or negative (-) if it is not.

Understanding blood types can help people recognize the importance of their donation:

• O Negative: Known as the universal blood type, can be given to patients of any blood type and is crucial in emergencies.
• O Positive: The most common blood type, often used in trauma care and surgeries.
• AB Positive: Known as the universal recipient, can safely receive blood from any other blood type. The AB+ blood type recognizes all potential antigens as safe, so your immune system does not launch an attack. It is also frequently used for transfusions and in the treatment of specific medical conditions.
• AB Plasma Donors: AB plasma is universal and can be used for patients of all blood types.

“Each blood type plays a different but equally vital role in saving lives,” Sullivan said. “Whether someone donates regularly or for the first time, every contribution helps ensure the right blood is available when it’s needed most.”

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth will host a blood drive on Thursday, Jan. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and it is open to the public. Donors will receive a free Mardi Gras themed shirt.

Sullivan encourages donors of all blood types and ethnicities to consider donating blood.

“One blood donation can save up to three lives,” she said. “Donating blood is a small act that can have a big impact on someone’s life in our community."