This plea, in its many incarnations, seems to plague today's media as modern health care systems desperately try to combat the chronic shortage of blood. I know hospitals are always in need of blood for surgeries. I know that blood donation is a good cause. But sometimes it feels like I'm a bad person if I even so much as keep an ounce of it for myself. Fortunately, there may soon be a remedy to the continual shortage.
In April 2007, a method was devised for the complete removal of A and B antigens from blood cells, effectively yielding any blood sample an O type. Accordingly, if all donated blood could be converted into O type, ABO compatibility issues would become a moot point. If science like this proves effective, current donation levels will better suit the huge demand for blood.
So, if I'm not a researcher, why should I care? Today's ever-present blood shortage is a fact of life. We've all been subjected to the medical guilt-trip: "Give blood now if you care about life, you cantankerous scallywag".
Please don't misread this. I am in no way trying to discourage blood donation, all I am saying is that there are other alternatives. Ask the Canadian blood services about universal antigen research, and how you can donate. We may then see a drastic decrease in the constant nagging.
Ralph Norton
Burns Lake
