Q&A: How your blood could help a cancer patient

By SCCA Staff · June 16, 2022

Donated blood is in short supply. That’s a problem for many people with cancer.

Blood donors, like this woman, offer a critical resource for people with cancer. · FatCamera / Getty Images

Most people don’t think much about the state of their local blood supply, but it’s often top of mind for people who have cancer. An ongoing shortage of donated blood is prompting blood donation organizations to put out the call for blood donors.

In this conversation with Dr. Sandhya Panch, a hematologist and medical director of transfusion at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, we take a look at how blood supply shortages affect people with cancer, the different types of blood donations and how you can help.

Why is there a shortage of donated blood?

There are a lot of reasons, including COVID surges, holidays and snowstorms that added to existing shortages. We have had to ration the amount of blood products we’re giving to patients. For some patients, this directly impacts their care and for some, not so much. More recently, we have experienced some supply chain issues from donation centers.

In the first two weeks of June, we had a critical platelet shortage, which placed us on high alert. There just weren't enough donors available. Unlike other products, you can’t just bring in blood products across state lines; there are regulations around these sorts of transportation logistics. Typically we rely pretty heavily on our local supply.

Sometimes we need to ration platelets to ensure the patients who are experiencing more severe internal bleeding can receive them. That can mean that we have to decide to give half-units of platelets to some patients with low blood counts but no active bleeding and reserve full units for patients who need them the most.

How much blood does Fred Hutch go through each month?

On average, our patients with cancer use 500 units of red blood cells and 350 units of platelets each month.

What are the different kinds of blood donations?

For the most part, blood donors contribute red blood cells and platelets.

What are blood platelets?

Platelets are blood cells that help blood clot. People with cancer can have low platelet counts. Platelet donation for people with cancer has dramatically decreased deaths due to bleeding.

Why do people with cancer need platelets?

People with cancer need platelets and red blood cells and occasionally white blood cells, which are more difficult to collect, to restore their blood count to healthy levels or to fight infections. A lot of cancer cells originate in the bone marrow and prevent the production of normal cells so you can develop profound anemia or low platelet count, which results in decreased ability to prevent bleeding.

In addition, certain types of cancer can impact your spleen or liver. These organs grow in size and chew up normal cells. So it’s not just a production problem but a destruction problem.

Does Fred Hutch collect blood?

Fred Hutch doesn’t collect blood donations directly. Bloodworks Northwest or the local American Red Cross center collects blood. Bloodworks Northwest is our local community blood donation center. Fred Hutch gets up to 80% of our blood products there. Bloodworks Northwest is among the few blood centers that collect white blood cells from donors, too, depending on patients’ needs.

Is the same process used to collect blood cells and platelets?

The processes are similar. Collecting red blood cells is easier. It involves a needle stick and takes about 20 minutes, then you go to the break room and hydrate. Platelets are collected via apheresis, a process by which you collect blood through a vein in one arm and return everything but the platelets back to the patient. This takes about three hours. You can watch a movie or read a book to pass the time.

Donating blood makes some people feel woozy. Are some types of blood-product donations easier to tolerate than others?

Donating platelets can be a good option because it doesn’t take out as much volume as whole blood donation does. You can ask your local blood center about donation options.

How can members of our community help cancer patients who need blood products?

Find out how to become a donor by visiting the website for the Red Cross (enter your ZIP code to find a list of nearby blood drives). People in the Seattle area can learn more on the Bloodworks Northwest website.

Anemia A condition in which the number of red blood cells is below normal. Apheresis A procedure in which blood is taken out of the body, part of the blood is removed, and the rest of the blood is infused back into the body. Blood transfusion A procedure in which whole blood, or parts of the blood, are put into a patient’s bloodstream through a vein. The blood may be donated by another person, or it may have been taken from the patient. A procedure in which whole blood, or parts of the blood, are put into a patient’s bloodstream through a vein. The blood may be donated by another person, or it may have been taken from the patient and stored until needed. Also called transfusion. Bone marrow The soft, spongy material in the center of your bones that produces all your blood cells, such as white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Hematologist A physician who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming tissues. Platelet A tiny, disc-shaped piece of a cell that is found in the blood and spleen. Platelets help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. A tiny, disc-shaped piece of a cell that is found in the blood and spleen. Platelets are pieces of very large cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. They help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. Having too many or too few platelets, or having platelets that do not work as they should, can cause problems. Checking the number of platelets in the blood may help diagnose certain diseases or conditions. Platelet A tiny, disc-shaped piece of a cell that is found in the blood and spleen. Platelets help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. A tiny, disc-shaped piece of a cell that is found in the blood and spleen. Platelets are pieces of very large cells in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. They help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and to help wounds heal. Having too many or too few platelets, or having platelets that do not work as they should, can cause problems. Checking the number of platelets in the blood may help diagnose certain diseases or conditions. Red blood cell A type of blood cell that carries oxygen in the body. Spleen An organ that is part of the lymphatic system. The spleen makes lymphocytes, filters the blood, stores blood cells and destroys old blood cells. It is on the left side of the abdomen near the stomach.

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