Blood transfusions are an essential component of modern medicine. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion, and the importance of this life saving procedure has touched the lives of several members of the UCLA community.
First year psychobiology major Helen Albrecht was diagnosed with cancer when she was eleven years old. She had Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone tumor, in her left fibula. She underwent seventeen rounds of aggressive chemotherapy which caused her blood cell counts to drop significantly. Each week, after her round of chemo she would have a week to recover during which she would receive platelet transfusions and blood transfusions to replenish her blood cell levels. She estimated that she had approximately fifteen rounds of both red blood cells and platelets by the end of her treatment. Today Albrecht is happy, healthy, and enjoying her first year at UCLA.
“I would not have been able to receive the treatment that I did without getting blood transfusions,” said Albrecht.
Third year microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics major Pedro Ivan Bazán was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma when he was an infant. He received treatment for about a year and a half. His treatment consisted of several cancer fighting drugs as well as radiation. He also received regular platelet transfusions from donations his dad was able to provide. Pedro Bazán is now enjoying his third year as a Bruin.
First year political science and history double major Heedong (Mike) Lee underwent two surgeries – one at birth and one at age four – on masses which had formed in his neck. The masses, which were discovered when he was born, would fill up with fluids and make it difficult for him to breathe. They removed these immediately following his birth and did not expect them to return. However, when he was between three and four years old they noticed the masses beginning to form again and he needed surgery to remove them. Lee lost a significant amount of blood during the surgery and needed blood transfusions. Following the surgery, Lee made a full recovery and has been healthy since.
“Because of blood transfusions and because of blood donations from others, I was able to go through my surgery without any major problems and am still alive today,” Lee said.
Because of donation efforts, these UCLA students were able to receive the treatment they needed to survive. Donation efforts are essential now more than ever.
The COVID-19 pandemic left an unfortunate side effect: a critical blood shortage. A rise in the number of trauma cases, organ transplants, and elective surgeries requiring blood products over recent months has depleted the nation’s supply of blood. Furthermore, patients who
previously deferred care during the pandemic are now presenting with more advanced disease progression and therefore require increased blood transfusions.
Members of the UCLA community can do their part by donating blood or platelets at the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center. The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center is committed to providing quality blood components for patients at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, and the Santa Monica UCLA Hospital. Donors are essential to making UCLA’s healthcare system one of the best in the country.
“Donating is such a small thing that actually saves peoples lives,” said Albrecht. “You don’t realize that until you’re put into a situation like I was where transfusions were the thing that kept me alive.”
“I understand that studying is usually our focus as students. But for us to be not just good students, but also good humans, it’s important for us to care about others,” said Lee. “One of the best ways to do this is to donate blood.”
The Blood and Platelet Center has two Westwood locations, one in Westwood Village and the other in Ackerman Student Center. To find directions and hours of operation for these locations, follow this link.
“I really want to encourage people to come on and donate!” said Lee, who has donated several times himself.
Schedule your appointment to donate blood or platelets at this link or drop-in at either of the Westwood locations. Use this link to see details about donor eligibility. The UCLA Blood and Platelet Center thanks you for doing your part to contribute to the effort to resolve this critical blood shortage.
