What's Happening At Blood Source
 
Fred Rowe took the microphone to introduce a mighty nice speaker, our own Elaine Roc.  After being successful at an earlier career for about 20 years, she resigned to do something else that touched her heart. She has been working for Blood Source, in which she was rapidly promoted. Currently she is the director of automated recruitment, at which post she uses her considerable people skills to raise awareness about donating to Blood Source. She also serves with the central California hemophilia foundation.


Blood Source was initially founded in 1948 as a nonprofit, at the impetus of some physicians at Sutter Hospital who needed more blood to do their work. Elaine decided to focus mainly on one aspect of the wonderful work done by Blood Source, namely "Source Plasma".  Plasma is the liquid part of blood.  Both whole plasma and its components are vital to the treatment of at least 80 different diseases.  The number of uses for plasma and its components is sure to increase because there are numerous on-going research projects on plasma. 
 
There is a worldwide need for the Blood Source products. Blood banks around the world need plasma and its components because these are scarce commodities in many foreign countries.  About 65% of the source plasma obtained in the United States is sent to other locations around the world.  

 
To prepare for a plasma donation, a person should avoid caffeine during the day before, eat a good meal, and drink a lot of water. Although it takes only about five or 10 minutes to donate whole blood (depending on the size of your veins), it takes about 45 minutes to donate for "source plasma".  During this process, the donor is entertained by recent movies and delightful company. Temporarily some of the donor’s  blood leaves the donor, while it is being subdivided into components, and then it is returned, minus "the goodies". Theoretically one could donate source plasma every other day but to be more conservative, plasma donations are limited to twice a week.
 
One of the most important products is Immunoglobulin.  These are a variety of antibodies in immunoglobulin which can be utilized to combat diseases.  Since different people have been exposed to different diseases, these different diseases stimulate the production of various different antibodies, making immunoglobulin products very versatile and valuable.  The Common denominator of these various diseases is that the patient has an impaired immune system.  Some people are genetically unable to form any antibodies at all, and infusion of these immunoglobulins, beginning shortly after birth, prevents the death of these babies, although we don't know how long these patients will ultimately live. However, one recipient mentioned by Elaine has completed medical school and is the oldest living recipient of this treatment, so far.  
 
Our club now is categorized as one of the "big clubs" in our district and records have been kept about the frequency of blood donations in the various clubs in the District.  We rank sixth among the big clubs which is not anything to brag about. Elaine distributed cards which can be utilized, so that our friends and relatives can also donate and credit our club. Some people (about 38% of the population of the United States) are unable to donate because of various FDA restrictions.  For example, there is a weight minimum of 110 pounds. Women are not allowed to donate.  Elaine ended early but remained afterwards to answer the many questions.
 
Reporter:  Cliff Straehley