Join Us in Saving Lives
Transforming Emergency Care with Low Titer O+ Whole Blood
The Garth Englund Blood Centers are collaborating with Thompson Valley EMS and UCHealth EMS to improve emergency medical care in Northern Colorado. . Paramedics now have access to Low Titer O+ Whole Blood (LTOWB). This access provides a life-saving blood product earlier in patient care. It significantly improves outcomes for trauma patients.
Your donations play a pivotal role in this initiative. They extend the reach of life-saving care from hospitals to ambulances in our community. Here’s everything you need to know about how your contributions make a difference.
What is Low Titer O+ Whole Blood?
Low Titer O+ Whole Blood (LTOWB) is a complete blood product containing red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. This unique combination ensures that trauma patients get the blood components they need all at once. LTOWB is specially screened to contain low levels of antibodies. This screening makes it safe for transfusion to patients of any blood type.
Why is LTOWB a Game-Changer?
Trauma patients often lose significant amounts of blood and need whole blood replacement quickly to increase their chances of survival. Administering blood products in the prehospital setting has been proven to:
- Reduce mortality rates
- Improve patient outcomes
- Deliver faster, more effective emergency care
Medical teams have successfully used LTOWB in hospitals for years. Now, this benefit is available from paramedic services, with proven success in locations like San Antonio and Colorado Springs.
Who Can Donate?
We are currently screening all male, type O+ donors for their titer levels, as they typically have lower antibody levels. Eligible donors must meet the following criteria:
- Be a type O+ male donor with low titer screening results.
- Avoid aspirin for 48 hours prior to donation (as it affects platelet function).
Your usual donation process remains the same, and no special enrollment is required. Simply schedule your appointment and donate regularly to help maintain our inventory.
Why Not Use O Negative Blood?
While O negative is the universal donor type, it’s rare, with only 7% of the population eligible to donate. Type O positive is much more common. It comprises 37% of the population. This makes it a readily available and effective alternative for the LTOWB program.
Do We Still Need Other Donors?
Absolutely! The LTOWB program is just one part of our overall blood supply needs. Your donations, regardless of blood type, are critical to saving lives both inside hospitals and in the community. Increased LTOWB usage means we need even more donors to meet all blood inventory demands.
How You Can Help
- Donate Regularly: Schedule your appointments every 56 days to maintain a steady supply of life-saving blood.
- Respond Quickly: If you receive a recruitment message, consider scheduling an appointment right away to help us meet urgent needs.
- Spread the Word: Share this initiative with friends, family, and colleagues to inspire others to join the cause.
Become a HerO+ Today
Your donation could be the difference between life and death for someone in need. Together, we can save lives and deliver extraordinary healthcare to our community.
Visit UCHealth Blood Donation to schedule your appointment or learn more about the Community HerO+ program.
UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center – Fort Collins
1025 Pennock Pl., Ste. 104
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970.495.8965
UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center – Greeley
6906 W. 10th St.
Greeley, CO 80634
970.392.6990
UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center – Loveland
2500 Rocky Mountain Ave.
Loveland, CO 80538
970.624.1510