Blood donors are a precious community resource. Each month at Blood Center of Wisconsin (BCW), 200 men and 600 women over age 50 are turned away ("deferred") because of anemia. In those over 50, anemia may signal serious underlying disease such as colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the #3 cause of cancer death in Wisconsin with more than 1,000 deaths in 2006. Yet with proper testing CRC outcomes can be improved by early diagnosis. This project will focus on a population of deferred older blood donors to develop and test educational materials that will motivate donors to seek medical attention for their anemia, so that the underlying cause is diagnosed and treated. This project has the potential to lead to better CRC outcomes in Wisconsin blood donors.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
400
This brochure will educate anemic blood donors regarding the possible causes of their anemia, and based on age will make recommendations for who should seek consultation with a physician.
The BloodCenter of Wisconsin's default action when a potential donor has been found to be anemic is to provide a standard pamphlet with very basic nutritional information.
BloodCenter of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
self-reported seeking of medical care for diagnosis of anemia found at time of blood donation
Time frame: 3 months
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