Blood donations: The gift we take for granted

BY STEVEN KASZAB

How has the pandemic affected the blood pool within the North America Region? Has the blood supply so needed by the: racialized, Black and Asian community suffered?

Black and racialized North Americans tend to die or have blood related illnesses more often than other races. The exact cause is unknown, but it is likely a combination of: genetics, behaviour and risk factors entering into it. Blacks tend to have smaller blood vessels, leading to heart centred illnesses. Ethnic health issues are front and centre, in front of our political and health officials these days.

Canada is facing a blood shortage, and 100,000 donors are required to maintain the nation’s blood supply. This is a challenge to accomplish in itself. There are racial communities that have particular needs not being serviced. For many of these people, there is a shortage of donations from their specific genetic community, causing a life-or-death situation.

“Most of the time, blood really never sees race” says Madeline Verhovsek, a hematologist from St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton. Matching blood transfusions between donors and recipients is usually an easy endeavour, but in some special cases blood types available are not sufficient. Sometimes a person with a special unique medical condition or complications may require extended matching, challenging the system’s blood pool. In some cases, people from specific ethnic communities are required to donate to their kin and community members.

One such condition is sickle-cell anaemia, which affects people living in malaria prone areas of Sub-Saharan Africa and The Middle East Regions. Sickle cell anaemia can require patients to experience up to 25 transfusions annually. While there are four main blood types (O, A/B, A and B), there are other antigens contained in blood, and their genetic codes can vary.

Blood from the Black community is like gold to the Canadian Blood Services, mostly because of its rarity and availability. That is not to say that the Black community does not donate blood, but rather that there are stumbling blocks placed before racialized community members. If you have malaria, you are not allowed to donate in Canada. In America those who have had malaria are not banned for life.

Margaret Mediema of Canadian Blood Services (Director of Philanthropy) said “Canadians must realize and acknowledge that some governmental policies are a hindrance to people donating their blood, marrow and stem cells.”

Sikh Nation, a community-based organization, raises the Sikh community into donating their blood. They want safe supply, but also adequate supply, so when there is a need the supply is there.

The ban that disallowed LGBTQ community members to donate has been re-imaged recently. That community with a historic rare blood record has been organizing community drives, as well as blood storage with the Canadian authority’s assistance and cooperation. Those that help themselves through organizing and determining action seem to achieve wonderful results.

In our crazy energetic world, finding the time to donate is another problem. The business world has often responded to this difficulty through: employees encouraged blood drives, paid wages while donating, and promoted blood donations. The blood agency and activist organizations diligently pursue those employed in super active jobs, such as truck drivers and seasonal workers to encourage and achieve blood donations.

Governmental action to lower the barriers to donating blood, especially within Black and an African and Asian population seems to be achieving its necessary goals. The Indian community of Brampton has responded well to the presence of increased donation centres in Brampton. Sikh Canadian activists point out that blood donation is perfectly in line with Canadian Sikh values – to save lives.