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28 - Wednesday, March 5, 1986 - North Shore News

Blood donors

DURING THE last three years,
AIDS — acquired immune defi-
ciency syndrome — has been a
medical mystery often surrounded
by fear, confusion and myths.

One of the myths involves
donating blood.

Says Rick O'Brien, Director of
Public Relations for the Red
Cross: ‘There is absolutely no
danger of contracting AIDS by
donating blood to the Blood

Transfusion Service of the Red
Crass."

“All equipment used is sterile. A
disposable needle is used for each
blood donor and never used
again."

As far as blood transfusions are
concerned, O'Brien pointed out
that in the past three years, Red
Cross has provided hospitals with
more than 8 million units of blood
and blood components.

“Less than half a dozen cases of

can't contract

AIDS are suspected of being caus-
ed by blood transfusions,”* he said.

Added O'Brien: ‘These figures
speak for themselves. We feel that
while it has been very much an
issue in the media, there is no
question that the integrity of the
blood supply is high.”

In spite of the widespread con-
cern about AIDS and transfusions,
Red Cross's blood donor clinics
have performed well.

“We have brought in as much

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blood as we projected,"’ he said.

O’Brien added that the demand
for blood from hospitals in B.C.
has been jacreasing.

“This indicates to us that the
medical profession still has a great
deal of confidence in the integrity
of our blood supply.”’

As part of the screening process,
prospective blood donors must
answer a questionnaire.

“The Ked Cross 1s concerned
with the health of the donor, as

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Number 7 Lights King Size: “Tar” 12mg. Nic. 0.9mg. Regular: “Tar” 13mg. Nic. 11mg.

well as the recipient," O'Brien

In early November, the Cana-
dian Red Cross will introduce a
test to determine whether a donor
has been exposed to the AIDS
virus anu has developed antibodies
to it.

“This test, which has proven to
be 99.8 per cent accurate in the
United States, will provide Red
Cross with a very reliable quality
control device,’’ O’Brien said,