Medic wants to introduce ALYX!

Come out to the next blood drive and see our newest mobile unit and meet Alyx, the two newest additions to MEDIC Regional Blood Center’s team. Alyx is a new system which allows donors to “touch more lives” with their donation.  This machine allows qualifying donors to almost double the number of lives they can save and Alyx will be on a Medic Mobile as early as October.  This new form of donation will make a huge impact on the community since MEDIC is Sevier County’s only blood supplier.  Remember a donation to MEDIC is an investment in Sevier County’s health and well-being! 
There are three components found in human blood:  1) red blood cells, 2) platelets (your clotting factor) and 3) Plasma.  The Alyx Components Collection System breaks the three components apart and takes only the red cell as the donation.   Therefore, your platelets and plasma are returned to you through the same needle (only one small prick necessary—same as regular donation).  The major difference is you are saving more lives with your single donation.  Nancy Seay, director of nursing, says that an Alyx donation might take up to 25 minutes whereas a regular donation might take up 5-10 minutes. 
MEDIC must constantly replenish the community blood supply.  Having the Alyx machine means that more lives can be saved with each individual donation. This way, your one or two time donation can help almost twice as many people in our area.  With a regular donation, donors are exempt from donating for 56 days which is enough time for your body to rebuild what you gave away.  With Alyx, donors are exempt for 112 days.   
All those interested in Alyx must meet certain guidelines.  Male donors must be taller than 5’1” and weight more than 130 lbs.  Female donors must be taller than 5’5” and weigh more than 150 lbs.  Again, all donors must be over the age of 17 have positive identification and be in reasonably good health.   
MEDIC is a not-for-profit blood bank, which serves 21 counties and 28 area hospitals.  According to MEDIC’s medical director, Dr. Lynn Blake, we must collect 350 units of blood every day to adequately supply our hospitals.   
 

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