To the editor: This text (“Chagas illness, lengthy thought-about solely a risk overseas, is established in California and the Southern U.S.,” Sept. 1) states that “most individuals discover out they’ve the illness solely after making an attempt to donate blood.” It’s not usually checked for in routine well being screenings. Along with Chagas, American Crimson Cross additionally screens blood donations for different infectious illnesses together with HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, West Nile virus and Zika virus, together with different assessments of a donor’s well being reminiscent of sickle cell for African American donors. If any of those are found, the Crimson Cross will contact the donor, advocate they see their physician and supply the findings to the physician.
My level? A blood donor might not solely save the life of somebody who wants blood. They could additionally save their very own.
Larry Macedo, West Hills
