FOCUS ON: BLOOD DONATI NS

by stephanie wallace

It can be easy to forget the importance of blood donations, but January is National Blood Donor Month, making it the perfect time to consider just how important blood drives are to the health of millions. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. It’s essential for surgeries and treating conditions like cancer, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. We’re breaking down the types of blood donation, so you can learn more about how you can make a difference.

WAYS TO DONATE: Whole Blood

This donation includes all components of your blood like red blood cells, plasma and platelets. Your donation can be transfused as is or broken down into specific components to help multiple patients, making this the most flexible type of blood donation.

Basic Requirements

• Donation frequency: Every 56 days up to six times a year

• Age: 17 in Missouri (or 16 with a legal guardian consent form)

• Weight: 110 lbs.

• Health: Good health and feeling well

• Time: Plan for an hour, actual donation may take less time

Power Red

Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component. It is typically used for surgeries, trauma patients, individuals with sickle cell anemia and anyone suffering blood loss. Red blood cells can be stored for 42 days after donation. Power Red donations use a special machine that lets you donate two units of red blood cells while your platelets and plasma are returned to you.

Basic Requirements

• Donation frequency: Every 112 days up to six times a year

• Age: 17 for males; 19 for females

• Weight and height: 130 lbs. and 5’1” for males; 150 lbs. and 5’5” for females

• Health: Good health and feeling well

• Time: Plan for 90 minutes; Power Red donations take around 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation.

Platelet

Platelets are tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. They are used in many cancer therapies since a major side effect of treatments is low platelet count. A transfusion also can help with major surgeries, organ transplants and blood disorders. Platelets only have a shelf life of five days, so new donations are needed daily. A single platelet donation yields as many platelets as would typically be collected from five whole blood donations.

Basic Requirements

• Donation frequency: Every 7 days up to 24 times a year

• Age: 17 in Missouri

• Weight: 110 lbs.

• Health: Good health and feeling well

• Time: Around three hours

AB Elite Plasma

The liquid portion of blood, plasma is used to treat burn, trauma and shock patients. Plasma can be frozen and stored for up to one year. Type AB plasma is the only universal type and can be given to all patients. A single AB Elite plasma donation can create up to four units of plasma, and only 4% of the population is eligible to make a universal donation.

Basic Requirements

• Donation frequency: Every 28 days up to 13 times a year

• Age: 17 in Missouri

• Weight: 110 lbs.

• Blood type: AB

• Health: Good health and feeling well

• Time: Around 75 minutes

You can visit redcrossblood.org to find a listing of local blood drives sorted by date or distance. The listing also will let you know what kinds of donations the drive will be collecting, so make sure you check before going. &

At 12045 Gailcrest Lane, everything you need is right at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the private putting green, splash around in the pool or hit the private gym, there’s plenty of ways to keep active without leaving home—or you can just take in the gorgeous views of the two acre property. Listing agent Lizzy Dooley is giving T&S a peek inside this Town and Country estate.

What are the benefits of the location?

It’s located in the Barrington Place neighborhood. You’re in the Parkway School District and very close to the edge of Laude, so you’re right in the central corridor sweet spot. There’s amazing access to highway 40, but you don’t have to deal with any highway noise. The neighborhood has a private back gate, which is a very cool feature.

How are the outdoor spaces unique?

There are two unique executive outdoor spaces. One is the stone terrace, which walks out from the living room and provides a prime view of the property’s two acres. From the basement, you can access the pool and a covered area with an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. The yard also has a putting green.

from the agents »

THIS PREMIER ESTATE IN THE COVETED BARRINGTON PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD IS SITUATED ON TWO PARK-LIKE ACRES.” –LIZZY DOOLEY, JOAN SCHNOEBELEN AND MEGAN ROWE

Tell me about the interior?

When you walk into the home, you enter a two-story marble foyer, with a beautiful wood paneled office to the right and a dining room to the left. The current homeowners moved in during the pandemic, and they had plenty of room to spread out and stay active during lockdown. Along with the pool and putting green outside, there’s a full gym and rec room in the lower level.

How is the home for entertaining?

The property is perfect for both formal and casual gatherings. On the main level, you have a formal dining room, and the living room has a big bar to accommodate guests. Plus, there’s direct access to the terrace for outdoor entertaining. In the basement, there’s a lot of space for kids. You really can have the adults gathering upstairs while the kids hangout downstairs, and you won’t even be able to tell there are multiple parties going on. Right now, people are really looking for opportunities to spend casual time together, instead of a specific event. This home has a lot of great spaces for entertaining and everyday living.

What do you most want potential buyers to know about the property?

There aren’t very many places in St. Louis where you can find a lot like this. It’s level with two acres of extremely usable land. Typically in Ladue or Town and Country, you get a lot of hilly or wooded property, so this is really spectacular. You not only get this beautiful home, but also some fabulous outdoor living spaces.&

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