Evening star., 1942-03-29
D. {. Area Donations
|ToWar Blood Bank
Reach 700. Weekly
Army ond Navy Center
Expanded to Handle
Steady Increase

Response in this area to the Red
Cross appeal for blood donations,
increasing steadily after a swift rise
when the United States entered war
has neared the rate Of TOO offers q
week and forced expansion Of the
Army and Navy donor center here
Facilities of the collection station
at Twenty-third street and Consti-
tuition avenue NV. are being in
creased, and those in charge en-
phasize the armed services need
every ounce Of blood citizens are will
ing to give.
Assurance has been given that the
plasma processed from donations Is
being dispatched to areas In which
1t can be used to save lives Of those
wounded seriously In battle. Spe-
cific amounts being sent have not
been made public inasmuch as they
could be used Is general indication
of the size Of forces.
A graph hanging In the donor
center gives striking indication
of the public's growing realization
that an easily spared pint of blood
may preserve the life Of q soldier,
sailor or marine. Before the decla-
rations Of war by the United States
the number Of offers each week was
relatively small. Then the line of
the chart swept almost vertically
to a peak. Most gratifying to Red
Cross and the Army and Navy doc
tors was the comparatively short
drop on the other side.
Donations Hold Steady.
The slump after the first wartime
rush Of donors soon was overcome
and the succession Of upward jogs
continued.
All professions and social classes
have been represented among the
givers-Government officials, pro-
fessional men and women, laborers,
clergymen. women Of religious Or
ders. men Of the armed services,
anxious to do something which
might prove all-important to q fel-
low fighter already In action.
An ofncer who visited the center
recently commented, II may need
this blood back myself sometime. ~
Frequently, . prospective donor
will disclose having . relative serv-
ing In q war zone.
The local station Is only one Of q
number scattered throughout the
country but has the distinction OF
being the only center now processing
plasma. The others send the blood
to commercial Arms for this work
The Red Cross handles registration
of would-be donors, and Navy OF
Army physicians take the blood.
Any healthy adult between the
ages Of II and so years can be q
donor. Those younger must have
consent Of their parents.
Suggestions Given Donors.
Fatty or greasy foods should not
be eaten within eight hours prior
to giving blood. Donations can be
made safely every to 10 weeks II
the donor desires.
Simple tests determine whether q
particular person should give blood
The donation, from II pint to
pint, is taken painlessly from ar
arm after 1t has been cleaned with
iodine and alcohol and a drop o,
local anesthetic applied. The blooc
is typed and the donor is Informed
Of his blood group-valuable in.
formation In event of emergency
After the blood is withdrawn, the
donor rests q few minutes and ther
can resume normal activities. The
fluid content removed from the
body Is replaced within "a hours
and the red cells Of the blood In 8
few days.
The plasma is the clear liquid
portion OF the blood remaining aftel
the cells have been removed. IT.
special value Is that 1t can be dried
or frozen and kept indefinitely
at least five without de-
teriorating. Whole blood should be
given only to persons having the
same type, whereas plasma can be
administered without regard to type
Persons wishing to participate in
the blood collection program can ar
range appointments by calling the
District Chapter Of the Red Cross
and asking for the blood donor
service.