Hispanic blood donors being recruited

Center recruiting more Hispanic blood donors
Marissa Villa - Conexión

The potential that Hispanics have in saving lives may not be widely known, which could be why only a third of South Texas Blood and Tissue Center donors are Hispanic.

More than half of all Hispanics may carry what is known as the universal blood type, O negative, according to research by the University of Texas at Galveston. However, because of many misconceptions among Latinos, nationwide less than 6 percent of Hispanics who are eligible to donate actually do.

Because these numbers are so low, STBTC has launched a campaign called Mi Sangre Es Tu Sangre in order to recruit more Hispanics for blood donation.

“We really just want to open up the dialog (about donation),” said Aleida Fuentes, spokeswoman for STBTC.

In addition to a general marketing campaign that promotes unity, health and action among the Hispanic community, STBTC provides tools that help donors keep track of health information.

“We want to plant that seed that blood donation is needed,” Fuentes said.

The local center serves more than 100 hospitals and clinics in 43 counties, which are primarily Hispanic.

But the typical donors are repeat donors who started giving at a young age. So, while the Hispanic population grows, so does the need for blood. However, the number of donors tends to stay the same.

For each pint of blood that is donated, three lives have the potential of being impacted, Fuentes said.

Some recipients of blood donations include trauma victims, diabetics, premature infants and cancer patients.

However, because of misconceptions about blood donation many don't see the potential saving benefits.

“The biggest (myth) is ‘I'm going to gain weight if I donate blood,'” Fuentes said. “The other is ‘I'm going to get sick.'”

But like receiving blood, giving blood is safe, she said.

“Within our community there's a big mistrust of (health providers) in general,” Fuentes said.

Other myths that hold Hispanics back from donating blood also include “Since I have diabetes, I can't donate blood” and “I am too old to donate blood.”

Diabetics can donate as long as they haven't switched medication within the last two weeks. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

The campaign will aim to calm any doubts, and further health education, including cholesterol and hemoglobin level education.

Anyone interested in learning more about Mi Sangre Es Tu Sangre can log on to www.southtexasblood.org/MiSangreEsTuSangre.asp for more information.