Author Archives for Stanford Blood Center

Stem Cell Basics

January 29, 2013 1:27 pm Published by Comments Off on Stem Cell Basics



Shizuru.jpg

Judith A. Shizuru, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine - Blood and Marrow Transplantation, will discuss the topic of stem cells at our upcoming Café Scientifique event on Thursday, January 31.


O-Negative Blood Supply Critically Low

January 25, 2013 1:11 pm Published by Comments Off on O-Negative Blood Supply Critically Low



By Julie Peachey, Social Media Manager, Stanford Blood Center

We are critically low in type O-negative blood and are asking for those eligible, to donate within the next couple of weeks. Unusually high demand has depleted O-negative inventory at local hospitals and across the Bay Area, making it difficult to import blood as well.


Blood Clot Forming

January 18, 2013 10:19 am Published by Comments Off on Blood Clot Forming



RBCs Clotting.jpg

By Billie Rubin, reporting from the labs of Stanford Blood Center

Here's a great picture of red blood cells, platelets, fibrin, and a white blood cell making a clot. There's a lot of activity that goes on in a little cut. The pretty cell in the middle is the white blood cell, waiting to pounce on any bacteria that sneak in through a cut in your skin. You can't see the platelets well in this picture but they are in there, sticking together with the fibrin to make a sort of scaffold that traps red cells. Together they all form the clot and keep your blood nicely contained.


Humane Society of Silicon Valley

Humane Society Silicon Valley

January 13, 2013 11:08 am Published by Comments Off on Humane Society Silicon Valley

2013 was the year we launched the campaign designed to double your impact. Our first partner was Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV). For each donor that came in during the campaign, we donated funds towards life saving medical care and...


Using cell phone data to track and fight malaria

January 9, 2013 10:25 am Published by Comments Off on Using cell phone data to track and fight malaria



By Lia Steakley, Writer for Stanford School of Medicine's Communications & Public Affairs Department This article was adapted from material provided by the Stanford University School of Medicine. Click here to be taken to the original article.

Half of the world's population, some 3.3 billion people, are at risk for malaria. In an effort to reduce the spread of malaria, an international team of researchers is using cell phone data to determine how human travel affects the transmission of the disease and identify regions where imported infections originate.


Become a Bone Marrow Donor

December 19, 2012 11:15 am Published by Comments Off on Become a Bone Marrow Donor



By Dave Emberson

We introduced you to Dave recently in his article titled Feeling Better, But Isolated. Dave was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in July and has been an active advocate for blood donations at our Santa Cruz Yacht Club blood drive.

The current state-of-the art treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients is the bone marrow transplant. Be the Match, the National Marrow Donor Program is a great site that explains the process and how to register as a donor. The donor is sent a saliva swab kit and some questions about his or her medical history. The main thing is to get as many people in the database as possible.


Mosquitoes: Nature’s Phlebotomists

December 14, 2012 10:36 am Published by Comments Off on Mosquitoes: Nature’s Phlebotomists



By Billie Rubin, Hemoglobin's Catabolic Cousin, reporting from the labs of Stanford Blood Center

Ordinarily, a mosquito bite is just an annoyance with an itchy red spot and a lot of scratching involved. But those little creatures can transmit malaria (in known malarial areas) and the West Nile virus right here at home.


Growing up: The expansion of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

December 12, 2012 10:37 am Published by Comments Off on Growing up: The expansion of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital



LPCH.jpg

By Lia Steakley, Writer for Stanford School of Medicine's Communications & Public Affairs Department This article was adapted from material provided by the Stanford University School of Medicine. Click here to be taken to the original article.

Back in September, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital broke ground on its 512,000-square-foot expansion, which will add 150 patient rooms, more treatment areas and the newest in medical technology. The current issue of Stanford Medicine Newsletter includes a story that lays out the plans for the new addition, which is scheduled to open in December 2016.