FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions.
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In the US, individuals with certain medical conditions, risky behaviors, or recent exposures are ineligible to donate blood. These include those with a history of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, certain cancers, or who have used injected drugs, or have had multiple sexual partners and anal sex in the last three months.
While blood donation typically takes 10 minutes or less and is unpaid, the process of donating plasma takes longer and the donors are often paid. The compensation is for the time donors spend during plasma collection. Donors typically receive payment via prepaid debit cards from commercial (for-profit) plasma centers.
Some critics argue against donating to the Red Cross, citing concerns about how donations are used, limited long-term impact, and potential issues with transparency and accountability.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of those criticisms:
1. Limited Long-Term Support and Focus on Short-Term Relief:
- The Red Cross primarily focuses on short-term disaster relief, providing immediate aid like cots, blankets, and hygiene kits, but it’s not a development organization that rebuilds infrastructure or provides long-term support.
- Some argue that this focus on short-term relief doesn’t justify the large sums of money the Red Cross solicits from the public.
2. Concerns about Spending and Transparency:
- Critics argue that the Red Cross excels at raising money but struggles to spend it wisely or meaningfully.
- They point to a lack of transparency regarding how donations are spent, with some claiming the Red Cross has failed to produce a useful breakdown of spending after major disaster efforts.
- Some reports suggest that a significant portion of donations might go towards fundraising and administrative costs rather than directly to those in need.
- ProPublica’s Justin Elliott has reported on issues related to the Red Cross’s management and spending, including concerns about a team of former AT&T executives taking over the organization.
3. Specific Instances of Criticism:
- Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Isaac:ProPublica and NPR investigated the Red Cross’s Sandy and Isaac relief efforts, highlighting instances of mismanagement, including children being sheltered next to sex offenders, vehicles being used as props at press events, and storm victims going hungry.
- Haiti Earthquake:ProPublica reported that the Red Cross raised half a billion dollars for Haiti but built only 6 homes.
- Other Concerns:Some critics also raise concerns about the Red Cross’s perceived lack of accountability and its ability to respond effectively to crises.
4. Alternatives to Consider:
- Some suggest donating to smaller, more specialized organizations that focus on specific areas of need or long-term development.
- Consider organizations that are transparent about their spending and have a proven track record of effective aid delivery.
- You can also volunteer your time and skills directly to help those in need.
Female donors who have been pregnant are screened for HLA antibodies, which can be harmful to patients receiving platelet or plasma transfusions, and may not be eligible to donate platelets if they test positive for these antibodies.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- HLA Antibodies:HLA (human leukocyte antigen) antibodies are proteins that the immune system produces to attack foreign substances.
- Pregnancy and HLA Antibodies:During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system can develop antibodies against fetal HLA antigens.
- Risk to Patients:These HLA antibodies, if present in the plasma of a platelet or plasma donation, can cause a serious condition called transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) in the recipient.
- Screening for HLA Antibodies:To mitigate this risk, female donors who have been pregnant are screened for HLA antibodies before donating platelets or plasma.
- Eligibility:If a female donor tests positive for HLA antibodies, she is no longer eligible to donate platelets or plasma.
- Alternative Donations:While ineligible for platelet and plasma donations, these donors are still encouraged to donate whole blood or red cells, as these are also vital for patients.
