American Association of the Philippines

BLOOD LINE PROCEDURE

RH NEGATIVE BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM

The AAP RH negative Blood Program is a volunteer "walk-in" donor list to meet the need for this rare blood type. We donate to all nationalities, not just Americans.

We are still endeavoring to help the community in this need - but ask that those who have this rare blood type, please do themselves - and the community - a service and register with our AAP office...the life you save may be your own! (Of course, we would like any and all to support our work by becoming a member of AAP - and you do not have to be American to join!)

Much emphasis is to be placed on the fact that the RH Negative donor "pool" is drying up due to the shrinking of the expatriate community - as well as the aging of the community. (Those over 60 are not accepted as donors.) Also, despite the numbers on our list, there are often very few who are accepted as donors due to a variety of reasons - low hemoglobin, on medication, pregnant - or too much partying at time of need!

If AAP is unable to source from our own volunteers, we coordinate with other sources such as Philippine Red Cross, Lung Center’s Clearing House, and blood banks in hospitals in Metro Manila. We also endeavor to network with other community organizations. But the "pool" is indeed very small - and few Filipinos have negative blood, hence the need to join our volunteer listing!

In cases of "elective" or "planned" surgery or childbirth, we recommend anyone with Negative blood please discuss with their doctor the option of giving their own blood in advance of this need - or finding a family member who can provide for that need.

AAP primarily responds in emergency cases by contacting those volunteer donors on its list - and asking them to report to a given "collection" point for bleeding. We request that donors DO NOT give their names; only give the name of the patient for whom they are donating - in an effort to protect donor's anonymity; to guard them against direct calls from those seeking blood in any future case. There is no charge for the blood from AAP volunteer donors, but any testing and transport of the blood must be borne by the patient.

FOR BLOOD REQUESTS, PLEASE CALL THE AAP OFFICE AT 892-5198 / 892-2510.

Please download REQUEST FORM here (with downloadable form)

What to do when a call for blood is received:

1. Who is making the request, and relationship to the patient and contact information.

2. Record basic information or request data card:

Name of Patient

Age

Blood Type

Number of Units needed

When Needed

Patients' Diagnosis, reason for requesting blood

Patients' hemoglobin level, if relevant

Name of Attending Physician

Name of Hospital, Address and Contact Information

Name of Patients' Employer

3. Insist that physician call you personally to confirm the above information:

4. Call the Hospital Blood Bank

Has any blood been promised or donated yet?

How many units are still needed?

5. After data is confirmed by Doctor, call donors:

Identify yourself (remember, donors are voluntary!)

State purpose of call –

“I am calling on behalf of the American Association of the Philippines Bloodline. I understand you have blood type ____ and might be able to help us”.

State the number of units requested and when needed

If donor is willing to give, give him the patient’s name, attending physician and hospital

If donor prefers, blood can be donated at Makati Medical Center (if patient is at another hospital, patient’s family will arrange to transport it from MMC)

Advise donor how to identify himself at the blood bank: “I am the AAP donor #___ for Mr. _____________, patient of Dr. __________ at ______________ hospital”.

6. Alert the blood bank that donor will be coming, and approximate time, “Donor # _____” *DONOR CONFIDENTIALITY IS IMPORTANT* Do not give name of donor to doctor, to blood bank or to family of patient.

7. Suggest donor to take juice and crackers with him and allow about an hour at the hospital;

8. Ask donor to call you afterwards to confirm donation (or confirm, yourself, with the hospital)

9. Record donation (or outcome) on donors card; send thank you letter.

Download Blood Request Form:

MS Word Format:

Adobe PDF Format: