Blood & Platelet donations

WOW, this little girl has inspired a full blood drive it seems! I am amazed at the response from so many far and near, it is truly amazing. THANK YOU!

Coincidentally we had a meeting with a blood bank supervisor Monday after I made the post on Sunday; she assured us that with the student population as well as the healthcare professionals and incentives to employees, the blood bank is rarely out of available products to supply the needs of the patients in the hospital. What I intended to convey in our Sunday post was that we personally know only one direct donor, i.e. all of his donations are reserved specifically for Madeleine. She has by no means run out of blood or platelets to date. Up until we met with the supervisor, I was concerned about the availability of those products. We welcome any directed donations for Madeleine, and thank you for your time to do this for her!!

So, for everyone who has asked specifically how to DIRECT DONATE for Madeleine:

*Best way is to donate here at the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center: 1045 Gayley Avenue, Los Angeles (between Kinross and Weyburn) 

*They accept walk-ins and appointments by calling (310) 825-0888 or make an appointment via their website: http://gotblood.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=50

*On the back of the questionnaire there is a place to write in for Direct Donation: Madeleine Vazquez

*To be sure your donation has been reserved for Madeleine, YOU personally need to call the donation center a few days after your donation to inquire due to confidentiality policies.  

*Blood donations take approximately 10-15 minutes for appointments, or 30 minutes for walk-ins to complete and are good for 30 days.

*Platelet donations (and what Madeleine needs more often) take approximately 2.5-3 hours to complete and are good for 5 days.

**Madeleine will be in need of these products each month until approximately June/July, so it is not imperative that we have numerous donors now in March, but over the next several months.

Compatible blood types, all CMV-neg:

A-neg: blood or platelets

O-neg: blood

AB-neg: platelets

any other: not compatible

*Out of town donors/non-UCLA donations: 

Not all donation centers screen for CMV. 

Each donation center has policies about whether they will ship out donations or not. 

Please note: I cannot provide Dr.'s orders for you to ship to UCLA

There is likely an added cost to ship to UCLA from your donation center if they allow it

You need to call the donation center at (310) 825-0888 to get complete instructions if you're able to get past these hurdles. If you can't, please donate anyway!! Because of community donors, Madeleine still has been able to get the blood and platelets she needs.

Weekend Update

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your focused and committed prayers!

I received an email from someone who I have never met, with Psalm 27:12-14 and "Release [my] expectations into His hands. The Lord is working on [our] behalf...while we are waiting, God is working." This spoke to me in many ways, as patience has truly been what has gotten us through the last 9 days. Saturday morning we were overjoyed that Madeleine had a bowel movement, the first one of the week and so desperately needed to indicate that her gut is beginning to heal. Her personality is also changing, she is happier I'm sure as a result of feeling better. We have to sit and wait to see how quickly she will heal. It is likely though that we could not get a break at home before beginning the next cycle of chemo. She has to first heal with her belly and gut and clear all the fluid from her lungs without further ailment. She also has two more MRI's of her brain and spine, another lumbar puncture, a surgery to replace her CVC - the line in her chest, be completely off the morphine and IV nutrition, and be 100% recovered. While we've called her the "overachiever," we are by no means pushing her to get well faster than she can; she is so delicate right now. WE ARE STILL VERY HOPEFUL that she will continue to do well throughout her treatment. We are suffering the "growing pains" of patience and having to have it whether we like it or not.

Due to her slow recovery, Madeleine has needed platelets nearly every day for the last week and a half. So far, there is only ONE PERSON who is a compatible direct donor for her, and we so graciously thank him for his continued donations. Even I cannot donate for her because she requires CMV-negative status blood products, which can only be A-negative, and the availability of her products I worry about. CMV status indicates exposure to a virus that does not affect the person who has it, but will affect compatibility in donations. About 80% of ALL people are CMV positive. Infants and especially low immune system infants require CMV negative products for their protection. If you have ever donated blood and been told you are a "baby donor," that is what it means. So, if by chance you are A-negative or O-negative blood type and know you are also CMV negative or want to find out, please let me know if you would consider being a blood and/or platelet donor for Madeleine. Turns out these people are few and far between.