LifeSouth encourages males with AB blood to help with plasma shortage

(CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – LifeSouth Community Blood Centers need help from male donors with AB blood to solve a severe shortage of blood plasma.

“People with Type AB blood are rare, only about four percent of the population, but they play a vital role in emergencies,” Tamara Watts said. Watts works as district communications development coordinator for LifeSouth.

When a person donates blood, more than half of that donation is plasma. Only plasma that blood centers collect can be used for transfusions. Plasma transfusions can save lives for victims of burns, bleeding disorders and trauma.

“AB plasma is considered the universal donor for these patients because it can be given to anyone in case of emergency,” Watts said. “Finding these AB plasma donors got more challenging since a regulation change in April.”

LifeSouth’s goal is to have a four-week supply of AB plasma. “We’re now down to less than one week’s supply. It has been dropping since April 1,” LifeSouth Medical Director Dr. Juan Merayo said.

Many people with Type AB blood don’t realize how vital their donations are. “Now, it’s even more important for men with Type AB to donate,” Merayo said.

Some hospitals already are exploring alternatives to relying on AB plasma for emergencies, Merayo said. “Until new testing equipment comes online, personnel are trained and new screening procedures are implemented, more male AB donors are needed.”

LifeSouth’s address in Madison is 8190 Madison Blvd. For more information, call 256-533-8252 or 1-888-795-2707, ext. 55022 or visit lifesouth.org.