ROCHELLE –– Giving blood is a gift straight from the heart and each unit donated can save up to three lives.

Rock River Valley Blood Center partners with businesses and organizations to host mobile drives in Rochelle throughout the year. But what is the impact of those donations locally?

In 2017, Rochelle Community Hospital has used approximately 127 units of blood from RRVBC. RRVBC supplies the community hospital with red blood cells, platelets and fresh frozen plasma.

“RRVBC works very quickly to any needs we have here at RCH lab,” stated Deb Nettleton with RCH. “They send a courier to deliver blood to us when we have a need. The courier will also come to our facility to deliver biweekly shipment to rotate our stock to bring us new product and rotate the old to other facilities to be sure the product gets used and doesn't outdate on our shelves.”

Most of the blood used at RCH is for patients in the infusion department.

“When a patient comes in for blood products we will draw their blood and test that blood for ABO/ RH which will tell us the patients blood type and Rh type,” explained Nettleton. “We will then test the patient for antibodies. This will tell us if they have antibodies in their plasma, which could cause them to have an unfavorable response to blood products. If they do have an antibody, we will send their sample to RRVBC to have further testing performed and they will find the blood products they need which will be compatible with their plasma.”

According to RRVBC, a blood transfusion is a life-saving medical procedure, prescribed by a physician. Blood can be given ‘whole’ but usually a component, or combination of components, is transfused.

One unit of blood can be separated into red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma and platelets. Red blood cells are used for bleeding and anemia. Platelets are used for bleeding and low blood counts while on chemotherapy. Plasma is most commonly used to restore blood volume and provide clotting factors.

RCH typically keeps 31 units of packed red blood cells in the blood bank refrigerator. The units are used for inpatients as well as emergency room and outpatients when they need to have the oxygen carrying capacity returned to normal volume. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissue. Red blood cells are typically used in the treatment of accident victims, to replace blood lost during surgery, to treat burn victims and to increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. They are also used in the treatment of anemia that can’t be medically corrected. The shelf life of donated red blood cells is 42 days.

RCH keeps 4 units of fresh frozen plasma in stock that is used to replenish coagulation factors if a patient has uncontrolled bleeding. Plasma is used during cardiac surgery, for burn victims, and to treat bleeding disorders. For example, bleeding disorders can occur in liver failure, when too much of a blood thinner has been given or when severe bleeding and massive transfusions result in low levels of clotting factors. Once collected, plasma has an outdate of approximately one year frozen and are good for 24 hours once thawed.

Platelets support blood clotting and give those with leukemia and other cancers a chance to live. The shelf life of platelets is five days.

Facts

Anyone in good held and at least 17 year old and at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days. However, only five percent of the eligible U.S. population donates blood.

While so few donate, one out of seven hospital patients need blood. While there is no substitute for human blood 40,000 pints of blood are used daily in hospitals across the United States.

RRVBC provides blood and laboratory services for more than 100,000 transfusions annually.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center serves as a centralized, community blood center and is the sole provider of blood products and services to Beloit Health Systems, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rochelle Community Hospital, Rockford Health System, SwedishAmerican Health System and SwedishAmerican Medical Center—Belvidere.

Upcoming drives

Rochelle Police Department along with 102.3 The Coyote have partnered with RRVBC to host the annual Vein Drain blood drive. The blood drive will be held Monday, Oct. 30 from noon to 6 p.m. at the police station. Donors will receive free Jimmy Johns and a Halloween themed t-shirt.

“The Vein Drain is such a fun event -- you might have your blood drawn by a spooky creature or a silly clown - you just never know,” stated Jenny Thompson, marketing/ PR manager for Rochelle.

To register for an appointment contact Thompson at jthompson@rochelleil.us or call 815-440-6304. Walk-ins are welcome.

Rochelle Community Hospital is planning to host a blood drive in November.