Blood is life | Radio Algeciras

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Donating blood is donating life, transfusions are not only part of the treatment of certain diseases, but also save lives in extremely serious medical situations, such as haemorrhage from traffic accidents, for example.

Each person has approximately five liters of blood that the heart pushes through the arteries to reach all the tissues of the body and recovers through the veins after being oxygenated in the lungs. 55% of blood is plasma, a liquid that serves as a suspension medium for platelets, red blood cells and leukocytes or white blood cells.

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In the province of Cádiz, in 2022 2,000 fewer donations were made than in 2021 and in the months that we have been in 2023 this trend persists.

Antonio Chaconresponsible for promoting the Center for Transfusion, Tissues and Cells of Cádiz.

Every day we need about 150 bags of blood for the hospitals of our province, which must necessarily come from the generous and altruistic donation of people of legal age who weigh more than 50 kg and who are in good health, since blood cannot be manufacture.

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We are in the Sports Pavilion Doctor Juan Carlos Mateo de Algeciras, here from half past five in the afternoon to half past nine the team made up of the warden-driver jose sanchezthe nurses Vito Guzman, Gloria Guerrero and Jesus Relinque and the doctors Carmen Lopez and Maria of the O Roquette carries out the extraction to citizens who agree to the call of the provincial center of blood transfusion, tissues, and cells, around 70 units are obtained throughout the day.

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At this time, due to the significant decrease in our reserves, we need blood from all groups. Blood donation is a safe process, attended by specialized health personnel. You already know that there are different types of blood, some are more in demand but all are necessary.

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Donating blood consists of several very simple steps that should always be supervised by a healthcare professional:

We enter the room, we are attended by José Sánchez.

These data are necessary to maintain traceability and ensure the identity of the units, notifying the donor of possible anomalies in the analyzes performed. Next, Dr. María de la O Roquettte conducts an interview and a blood pressure measurement and hemoglobin determination. The objective is to ensure the suitability of the donor and sign the informed consent.

Next, we go to the extraction room.

The extraction lasts between 6 and 10 minutes, the volume extracted is 450ml and there is no risk of contracting a disease during the donation, since sterile, single-use and disposable material is used. Jesús Relinque awaits us in this room.

The extraction ends six minutes later, time flies by.

Gloria Guerrero helps us get up and offers us recommendations for a good recovery, it is important to keep the cotton pressed on the puncture area for a few minutes.

After the donation we go to the recovery room, drink water and eat some light food if necessary before resuming normal activity, all under the supervision of the team, who will attend to us immediately if we notice any effects such as dizziness or nausea. Donations throughout the year are limited, María de la O Roquette explains that it is necessary that at least two months pass between each extraction.

Our blood bag will be divided into red blood cells, plasma and platelets, six minutes that will improve the health status of three people.

Because donating blood is donating life.