The Portuguese Institute of Oncology (IPO) in Porto has been registering a “worrisome downward trend” in blood donation since 2021 and fears that “restrictions” will worsen during the holidays, so it is calling for donations.
This Wednesday, World Blood Donor Day, in a statement to the Lusa agency, the head of the IPO immunotherapy service in Porto recalled that “transfusion therapy is a fundamental therapy for cancer patients” and that “supply” of blood is always limited, since blood products also have an expiration date” .
“We have patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy, we have major oncological surgery, the field of bone marrow transplantation, and pediatric patients who consume a lot of blood components. As far as RBC concentrates are concerned, we are self-sufficient from regular donation and have had no problems. But we, as an oncology hospital, have the peculiarity of consuming a lot of platelets, and this particular donation needs to be increased,” said Maria Rosales Sueiro.
The IPO in Porto registered about 3,500 donations from January to May this year, which means an average of 22 whole blood donors per day, but only four apheresis platelet donors per day.
In a summary sent to Lusa, the institution considers that these figures are insufficient to guarantee self-sufficiency.
“It is very important to attract the attention of the population and strengthen calls for blood donation, especially on the eve of the holidays,” the appeal says.
Maria Rosales Sueiro added that in 2022, compared to 2021, the number of donors decreased by about 15%.
The immunotherapist Luse said “this trend continues and it’s worrying” the IPO.
“We want the population, namely the young and healthy population, to mobilize and think of donation as an opportunity to contribute to society,” the official said.
María Rosales Sueiro acknowledges that this is “a post-pandemic trend, or that people are less motivated to act altruistically given economic, social hardships, and political problems,” but emphasizes, “Sick people continue to exist and continue to need them.”
Regarding the method of platelet donation, which allows patients to be exposed to a single donor, Maria Rosales Sueiro said that “many types of chemotherapy cause a decrease in platelets.”
“There may be a risk of bleeding and we have to protect it with platelet transfusions,” he explained.
Platelet donation by apheresis, which requires good venous access and may take longer (about 45 minutes), may be done more frequently or even monthly.
At the IPO in Porto, the donor first makes a general donation, and after getting to know the service and the professionals, he can schedule a specific platelet donation.
The IPO do Porto blood donation service is open from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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