Gift of life knows no season, Blood Bank of Alaska's Mat-Su Center gets a facelift

All the Christmas gifts have been opened, and the Christmas shopping season is over. But there is one gift that is always in demand, whether it be on Christmas or any other day of the year -- the gift of life.

Blood is always needed by the Blood Bank of Alaska, and lately, the need has been greater than ever.

As December draws to a close, the Mat-Su center is only about halfway toward its goal. While it seemed like everybody and their brother turned out to donate blood on Sept. 11, since then, donations are down.

"It has definitely dropped off since then," said Marianne Schlegelmilch, the manager of the Mat-Su center. "About 99 percent of the people who showed up on Sept. 11 were first-time donors, and they haven't been back. All of that blood has been used, and now we are short. You don't know when blood will be needed, either."

Donating blood to the Blood Bank of Alaska is going to be even easier, thanks to the Mat-Su Homebuilders Association.

The group of builders recently completed an expansion project at the Mat-Su center, giving the blood bank more room for storage, and a break room.

"The break room alone will allow us to stay open during our lunch hour to better serve the public. I think that's our biggest luxury with the new space," Schlegelmilch said. "And before, all of our supplies were in the closest with the coats and everything else. This gives us a lot more space."

The blood bank leased a new office adjacent to the current office, and the home builders went to work to prepare the building.

"We did the drywall, put in a window and a new office and ran electrical and data lines to the office," said Gary Smith, the incoming president of the Mat-Su Homebuilders Association.

The Mat-Su Homebuilders got involved through the Home Builders Care program, which is a national movement for associations to get involved with their communities. It was one of many community-service projects for the local chapter during the past year.

"I can't say enough good things about what they have done for us," Schlegelmilch said. "It's a significant contribution they made. It helps us help the community. We are already feeling the difference of having more space."

Schlegelmilch is hoping to get the word out that the bank needs all types of blood. The demand for 0-negative blood far exceeds the available supply, because it can be given to any patient, regardless of their blood type.

Because of that versatility, O-negative is used in emergency and trauma cases constantly.

Blood is broken down into three separate parts -- red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Platelets are the most delicate part of blood, and they can be kept for five days following the donation. They cause the blood to clot.

Red blood cells carry oxygen and can be refrigerated for up to 42 days following collection.

Plasma is the fluid portion of blood, and it can last for up to one full year from the collection date.

Because blood expires so quickly, a steady flow of donations is needed. People can donate every 56 days.

"We have a large group of regular donors, but we rarely match our donor goal of 240 units a month," Schlegelmilch said. "That requires 20 donors a day."

The Blood Bank of Alaska Mat-Su Center is open in the Lakeview Professional Building Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. An appointment is recommended, and walk-ins are accommodated when possible.

Two Mondays a month the blood bank also holds donor clinics in Palmer.

For more information, interested people may call the Blood Bank of Alaska Mat-Su Center at 376-1195.