Red Cross showcases new technology at blood drive

The American Red Cross returned to Thompson Falls High School last Wednesday, to get volunteers to give blood. They brought with them equipment to take blood donations in the regular fashion as well as a special type of apparatus for taking blood in a different way. The second donation method is called Power Red, and by donating through this machine, blood givers can now double their potential donation power.

Stephanie Lefeuvre, an American Red Cross phlebotomist, explained that Power Red donations take up to two units of red blood cells only, while returning both platelets and plasma back into the system of the donor. "It's a really good way to maximize your donation," she said.

The machine separates the three blood components by spinning them at a high rate of speed through a centrifuge. According to Lefeuvre, the centrifuge runs the sample at 7,000 rotations per minute. Each blood element separates differently based on its mass and therefore can be separated by the machine and funneled through different pathways. The whole process for the two units takes about half an hour and draws and returns blood elements through a single needle line in the patient. This, according to Lefeuvre, is a huge incentive, because to give the same amount of blood traditionally, the donor would have to come in twice and be stuck with a needle twice.

According to Luis Hall, another American Red Cross phlebotomist, traditional blood donors must wait 56 days between donations while Power Red donors need to wait at least 112 days between donations. "That actually saves the donor commute time," said Hall, referring to the traditional donor having to travel twice to give the same amount of blood as Power Red takes in one session. Hall added that "recipients usually need two or more units of blood," meaning that Power Red donations cut in half the number of required donors per patient. He also explained that 87% of blood transfusions are red blood cells, which are currently in high demand and exactly what the Power Red donation takes.

Hall clarified that red blood cells are the ones that carry nutrients, oxygen and water throughout the body, which makes them some of the most important aspects of blood. As far as the other elements, Hall said the platelets help with the clotting factor and plasma is often given to burn victims as well as used in pharmaceuticals and to make vaccines.

Rebecca Beckman, the Thompson Falls school nurse, said last time she gave blood she did so with Power Red. She also gave blood this time, however, could not give as much or do so through Power Red again because she was still within her 112 days. "I just like to help," said Beckman, explaining that she gives blood whenever she has a chance. She has been donating for almost 30 years and said that donating through Power Red is "a longer process but you're technically giving twice as much."

Each year the Thompson Falls National Honor Society (NHS) organizes the blood drive. "We usually have quite a few students donate," NHS advisor Shana Neesvig said. "We try to get students involved," she added, but this year the American Red Cross limited how much assistance they needed because of the pandemic.

For more information about the American Red Cross, donating blood and Power Red, visit redcross.org.