Author Archives for Stanford Blood Center

The Web’s Most Asked Questions: What Do Blood Donations Get Tested For?

September 28, 2023 12:55 pm Published by Comments Off on The Web’s Most Asked Questions: What Do Blood Donations Get Tested For?

Blood donations are subject to a battery of tests that play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the blood supply. These tests are designed to identify diseases that can potentially be transmitted through blood transfusions. Among the well-known...


The Web’s Most Asked Questions: How Blood Donation Helps Our Community

September 15, 2023 1:52 pm Published by Comments Off on The Web’s Most Asked Questions: How Blood Donation Helps Our Community

Blood donation is a lifeline for our community, with more than 15 million blood products used annually in the United States. Every two seconds, someone in the country requires blood, meaning blood donation directly impacts our community, saving lives and...


Individual Donor Assessment — Changes to Blood Donation Deferrals

August 7, 2023 8:17 am Published by Comments Off on Individual Donor Assessment — Changes to Blood Donation Deferrals

In May 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a final revised guidance regarding risk assessment for sexually transmitted infectious diseases (most notably HIV) that can be transmitted through transfusion. Stanford Blood Center is currently working to implement these...


Tabitha and Son

A Mother’s Mission: Tabitha’s Commitment to Donating Blood for Others

June 8, 2023 1:59 am Published by Comments Off on A Mother’s Mission: Tabitha’s Commitment to Donating Blood for Others

By Samantha Baker, Communications Strategist Bay Area local Tabitha Jackson knows firsthand the vital importance of a stable and readily available blood supply for those in need. Her son, who had five congenital heart defects resulting in three open heart...


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The Advent of AI in Blood Donation and Transfusion

May 24, 2023 1:58 am Published by Comments Off on The Advent of AI in Blood Donation and Transfusion

Written by Krista Thomas, Communications Strategist, with medical direction and expertise from Dr. Tho D. Pham, Chief Medical Officer With the rise of several artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) applications and uses such as ChatGPT, “deep fake” AI-generated images, and...


What Really Happens to Your Body After You Donate Blood: Effects, Risks and Recovery

May 24, 2023 1:35 am Published by Comments Off on What Really Happens to Your Body After You Donate Blood: Effects, Risks and Recovery

Written by Krista Thomas, Communications Strategist, with medical direction and expertise from Dr. Suchi Pandey, Chief Medical Officer   One of the most common concerns folks have around giving blood—even those who do so regularly—is how their body reacts and...


Drops of blood for blood group medical exam concept

Why Do We Have Different Blood Types? A Look at Evolution and Inheritance

February 20, 2023 7:36 am Published by Comments Off on Why Do We Have Different Blood Types? A Look at Evolution and Inheritance

By Krista Thomas, Communications Strategist, with medical support and expertise from Dr. Tho Pham, Chief Medical Officer While all blood donors are united by the same general donation experience and, typically, the same passion for supporting others in the community,...


michael v photo on mountain

Michael’s Story: The Heart to Carry On

February 20, 2023 7:00 am Published by Comments Off on Michael’s Story: The Heart to Carry On

By Samantha Baker, Communications Strategist One early morning in 1997, 35-year-old Monterey Peninsula resident Michael V. had difficulty sleeping due to an unusual feeling. “My heart was pounding away as if it was going to come out of my chest,”...