Red Cross seeking blood donors

The Northwest District of the American Red Cross of Montana needs blood donors to

increase local inventories and help with a national shortage.

The Northwest District of the American Red Cross of Montana needs blood donors to increase local inventories and help with a national shortage.

"We are meeting our supply needs, but our numbers are down," said Sandy Mundahl, donor recruitment representative.

She said local donations are sufficient to provide a three-day supply of blood to hospitals in the Flathead Valley and surrounding areas, including Polson, Troy, Libby, Eureka and Browning.

Mundahl said that American Red Cross chapters have been asked to contribute excess supplies to areas with critical shortages.

"Some places, like Portland, had a one-day or less supply," she said.

The Red Cross meets local needs first, then state and regional needs before assisting other areas, Mundahl said.

National American Red Cross officials last week issued a nationwide appeal for donations.

They said blood collections have dropped off steadily since Memorial Day.

The situation became critical during the Fourth of July holiday. Blood banks ran particularly low in blood types O, A-negative, and B-negative.

Montana is part of the Lewis and Clark Region that includes Idaho and Utah and other limited areas. This region's supply was described as adequate but tight because of a seasonal decline in donors.

Mundahl said the local chapter has seen many people make appointments, then not show up for them.

Often, a last-minute invitation trumps the donation appointment.

"Let's face it," she said with a laugh. "I'd rather play golf than give blood."

She encouraged donors to try their best to keep appointments because the chapter is counting on their contributions. Mundahl hopes to motivate others to become regular donors.

"We just love them to death," she said.

Healthy people ages 18 and older can give blood every 56 days. Youths 17 years of age may give if their parents sign consent forms.

Mundahl said some medications, such as blood thinners, may keep a person from donating.

However, blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications usually don't affect donor eligibility.

People with questions about their medications and donating, or who want to schedule a donation appointment, should call 755-7237.

Although the chapter accepts walk-ins, Mundahl encourages people to call to avoid a wait. The staff takes those with appointments first.A new donor needs to bring photo identification.

"That's an FDA regulation," Mundahl said.

The intake process begins with a short health history. Next, the staff measures blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and the donor's blood-iron level, which involves a finger prick.

Mundahl said that 99 percent of potential donors make it through the intake process. Staff members take medical histories to screen out those exposed to hepatitis and other problems.

"There are also some travel deferrals," Mundahl said.

She said she traveled recently to Mexico where she visited a village that had an outbreak of malaria. Her regular donation was put on a 12-month deferral.

After the intake procedures, the blood collection takes only seven to eight minutes. Afterward, donors rests for 10 to 15 minutes as the staff monitors them for any adverse reactions.

Mundahl said a person occasionally experiences a light-headed feeling or dizziness. She said the feeling typically comes from needle anxiety rather than from losing a pint of blood.

When collected, the blood is sent to Great Falls for typing and testing for diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. It returns to this area's hospital blood banks where it has a shelf life of 42 days.

Mundahl said processing separates each pint of blood into red cells, plasma and platelets.

"So you're helping three different people, saving three lives," she said.

Within six to eight weeks, the donor receives an identification card that lists the person's blood type. The card cuts the intake processing time during the next appointment.

Red Cross officials make donating easy by organizing blood drives across the valley at convenient locations.

"I'm looking for businesses or organizations to hold blood drives in August," Mundahl said.

She said D.A. Davidson employees participated Wednesday in a drive. The new Columbia Falls Rotary Club held a drive Thursday in conjunction with First Citizens Bank.

She said statistics show that 65 percent of the population qualify as potential donors. Yet Mundahl said only 5 percent donate blood.

She said statistics also show that nearly everyone will know someone whose life was saved by the gift of blood.

Mundahl said a Whitefish woman with leukemia requires a blood transfusion every three weeks.

Her story has inspired many people to make the first donation of their lives to save lives.

"It seems once they start, they just keep coming back," Mundahl said. "It's a neat thing to do."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.