DONOR BRIAN DIETZ WINS $500 GAS CARD
Brian Dietz of Fort Wayne wasn’t expecting anything special for his regularly scheduled platelet donation at the American Red Cross. He was unaware of the $500 gasoline gift card drawing until he got to the donor center. Fortunately for him, he signed up for the drawing and his name was drawn as the winner. Recently, he received a $500 gasoline gift card and a certificate of appreciation from the American Red Cross.
Brian started donating blood 10 years ago as a high school student. His alma mater, Southside High School, hosted an American Red Cross blood drive and Brian was compelled to give. “Of course we got to pick what class to get out of, so I chose English,” Brian recalls. Soon after, Brian began coming to the Red Cross to give blood and learned about another donation type – platelet pheresis.
Platelet pheresis uses a cell separator to collect only platelets and returns the other blood components to the donor. The concentrated dose of platelets collected through platelet pheresis is as many as six to eight times the amount collected in a traditional blood donation. Platelet products are primarily used by cancer patients. When a patient is having extensive chemotherapy, the production of blood cells is affected and the platelet count may drop to a critical level.
Brian tries to donate platelets as often as he’s eligible, which is every two weeks. Last year, he reached the 100 platelet donation milestone. “Donating is a fun way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday. When I leave, I know I’ve helped people. It’s my way of giving back,” Brian says.
The Red Cross held a $500 gasoline gift card drawing last week when there was a special need for the universal blood type, O-negative blood. At that time, type O-negative blood was at less than a six-hour supply. Today, it is at a nine-hour supply. Ideally, there should be a three-to five-day supply of all blood types.
If you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification.
For more information or to schedule your blood donation appointment, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543).
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