Well, here is the answer. Blood comes from the crew. As a crew member, one can volunteer to be a blood donor. A sample of blood is taken, where it is tested for malaria and other infectious diseases and to identify the blood type. When someone is going to the OR, and large blood loss is anticipated, a notice is posted on the crew member's door saying that they have been crossmatched with a patient who may need blood the next day. The crew member is encouraged to drink lots of water. When one's blood is needed another notice is sent requesting them to come to the lab to give some blood.
Because the blood is whole blood, meaning it is not separated into red blood cells, platelets, plasma, white blood cells, and the like as it would be at home, the blood type has to match identically.
When I arrived, I signed up to be a blood donor. Two weeks ago, I gave my blood sample and throughout this last week, I have received three notices that I had been cross matched with a patient who may need blood. However, I was never called. Yesterday, I received my notice saying that I would need to go to the lab and donate a unit of blood for a patient today. I was excited to know that I was going to be able to do this. My bunkmate Sabrina photo documented the whole experience. (I hope these pics don't make you queasy). Oh and a FYI, that needle was huge. It must have been like a 12 gauge needle.. Huge I tell you!
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| Ann, the great phlebotomist |
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| Two of my cabin mates giving support ;) |
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| 550ml of my blood! |
Today, I went to work and started my day very efficiently, knowing I would have to leave the ward at 8:30am to give blood. I went to the lab and donated 550cc of blood which was then taken, warm and everything and given to a 10 year old boy, who was in desperate need of some blood. It was given to him by my roommate, Jessica, who said that it was so incredible to know that the blood had just come from me and was going to save this child's life. The child was flown to the ship from the Congo with a large tumor. Unfortunately, it is inoperable and it is actively killing him. The blood will keep him alive until he can be flown back to the Congo, where he will be with his family. I hadn't really thought about how my donation would impact one individual in such a significant way. In the States, blood donation is just a thing to do, knowing that it is a good thing and may save a life, but seeing it first hand was powerful. I went back to work, wearing the pressure dressing and many patients and day workers were thanking me for donating blood. In Africa, as I was told by a day worker, the people don't readily donate blood. They have a belief that when you take blood, you are taking away something you need and then you can die. I was thanked so many times by people unaffected by it, but who were touched by the action. A few people said I was like Jesus, and that I gave blood so someone else could live. Never would I have compared the two, but it is incredible to have been a part of something that means so much to someone else.
After work, I went to the ICU to see the boy. He was sleeping, but I met his caregiver, I think it was his grandmother. Claire was his nurse for the day, and she explained to the caregiver, who spoke French, that it was my blood that went to her grandson. She smiled and then began to say "Merci, merci, merci bohku" and she hugged me. She asked my name and I told her and she introduced herself as Mama Rose. I told her that my name is actually Apphia Rose and she looked up and said in English "God is good." She hugged me again and I teared up. The moment was unlike anything I have ever experienced. I don't have words to describe it. I am so thankful that I was able to give of myself in such a wonderful way. God truly is good!!
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