Blood Transfusion (cont.)
Artificial Blood
Experts are trying to create artificial blood or blood replacements. Blood replacements being studied include oxygen-carrying chemicals (such as perfluorocarbon emulsions) and cell-free hemoglobin—the portion of the red blood cell that carries oxygen. There are several advantages to blood replacements. - Blood replacement products can be stored for long periods of time. Human blood must be used within a few weeks of being donated.
- Blood replacement products can be stored at room temperature. Human blood must be kept refrigerated until used.
- There is no risk of a transfusion reaction caused by mismatched blood type.
- Blood replacement products can be sterilized, eliminating the risk for infection.
The blood replacement products being tested still have problems. For example, blood replacement products can interfere with blood tests, are more quickly removed from the body, and are less efficient oxygen carriers. Several of these products are being developed. But their use, after they are approved, will probably be limited to emergencies involving severe blood loss caused by serious accidents.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations| American Cancer Society (ACS) | | Phone: | 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) | | TDD: | 1-866-228-4327 toll-free | | Web Address: | www.cancer.org | | The American Cancer Society (ACS) conducts educational programs and offers many services to people with cancer and to their families. Staff at the toll-free numbers have information about services and activities in local areas and can provide referrals to local ACS divisions. |
| | American National Red Cross | | 2025 E Street NW | | Washington, DC | | Phone: | 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) donation hotline
(202) 303-5000 | | Web Address: | www.redcross.org or www.cruzrojaamericana.org/index.asp (Spanish) | | This Web site has news on what the American Red Cross is doing in America and around the world. It also has information on disaster services (for making donations), Red Cross projects, how to volunteer, and where you can donate time, money, or blood. The American Red Cross is one of America's main emergency response groups. It also offers many other services, such as community services for the needy, support for military members and their families, and educational programs that promote health and safety. But the Red Cross is probably best known for its blood drives and international relief programs. The American Red Cross is also part of a worldwide effort that provides care to the victims of war or natural disasters. This group always aims to prevent and relieve suffering. The Red Cross is not a government agency. And it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. |
| | America's Blood Centers | | Phone: | 1-888-US BLOOD (1-888-872-5663)
(202) 393-5725 | | Web Address: | www.americasblood.org | | America's Blood Centers is a network of nonprofit community blood centers in the United States and Canada. The website can help you find a donor center near you. The donor centers are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada. There are more than 600 donor centers. |
| | KidsHealth for Parents, Children, and Teens | | 10140 Centurion Parkway North | | Jacksonville, FL 32256 | | Phone: | (904) 697-4100 | | Fax: | (904) 697-4220 | | Web Address: | www.kidshealth.org | | This website is sponsored by the Nemours Foundation. It has a wide range of information about children's health, from allergies and diseases to normal growth and development (birth to adolescence). This website offers separate areas for kids, teens, and parents, each providing age-appropriate information that the child or parent can understand. You can sign up to get weekly emails about your area of interest. |
| | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) | | P.O. Box 30105 | | Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 | | Phone: | (301) 592-8573 | | Fax: | (240) 629-3246 | | TDD: | (240) 629-3255 | | Email: | nhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov | | Web Address: | www.nhlbi.nih.gov | | The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) information center offers information and publications about preventing and treating: - Diseases affecting the heart and circulation, such as heart attacks, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, peripheral artery disease, and heart problems present at birth (congenital heart diseases).
- Diseases that affect the lungs, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, sleep apnea, and pneumonia.
- Diseases that affect the blood, such as anemia, hemochromatosis, hemophilia, thalassemia, and von Willebrand disease.
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