Hemochromatosis and blood donation

Prevalence, donation practices, and risk assessment of blood donors with hemochromatosis.

CONTEXT Despite changes in eligibility policies, practical barriers limit blood donations from individuals with hemochromatosis. Increased knowledge of hemochromatosis donor characteristics may help foster further changes that will promote more donations. OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of donors diagnosed as having hemochromatosis and to compare rates of unreported deferrable risks for...

BLood donaTion and coLLecTion

The first documented transfusion of blood in humans occurred in 1667, but it was not until almost 300 years later that transfusion become a therapeutic practicality.1 Landsteiner’s landmark discovery in the early 1900s of blood groups and agglutinating antibodies was the key that unlocked this therapeutic pathway. The development of anticoagulants, blood preservatives, and sterile collection se...

Blood Donation

Blood donation and beyond.

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on 14 June every year.1 On that day, countries all around the world express their appreciation for blood donors, whose generous gift of blood have saved the lives of millions of people they have never met. It is a precious gift indeed as the donated red blood cells help to carry suffi cient oxygen to critical tissues during anaemia or blood loss while the der...

Blood donation and anemia.

A 31-year-old woman presents to your family practice with concerns about light-headedness during exercise and cravings for ice. Her history does not suggest cardiac or respiratory illness. She does not describe heavy menses and is not pregnant. She denies any other bleeding or surgery. She has no gastrointestinal symptoms and takes no prescribed or over-the-counter medications. She eats meat re...