The Rh Incompatibility Program
How You Can Help Save A Baby's Life
As you are aware, the sample of blood that we draw is going to be tested to see if the antibody Anti-D is present in your blood. This antibody is often produced when a mother whose blood is Rh negative is exposed to her baby's Rh positive blood.

With the success of the Rho D Immune Globulin vaccination (commonly referred to as RhoGAM®), the number of women with existing antibodies to the Rh factor has been dramatically reduced. In order to continue the production of the Rho D Immune Globulin vaccination, it has become necessary to aid in the boosting of this antibody.

If Southern Blood Services does not detect the antibody in your blood, we would like to discuss the possibilities of immunizing and producing this antibody in your blood. This program works with surgically sterile women to help them build Rho D Immune Globulin in their blood. This program may also include men.

Through a safe and highly tested procedure, small amounts of red blood cells from donors who match the recipient are introduced into the participants blood. The only incompatible factor is the Rh. The recipients system responds to these cells the same way that it would if the vaccine Rho Immune Globulin had not been given after delivery. Because the cells remain incompatible, the antibody is produced. This is similar to the approach of vaccinating against measles or other childhood illnesses. We have had significant success with this program. A number of our active donors are recipients of the Rh Incompatibility Program.

We would like to make you aware of the benefits of this program, as well as the risks. The risks involved are minimal, amounting to the same as could be expected for anyone receiving blood or blood products from another person. In consulting with candidates for the Rh Incompatibility Program, we have found that the major objection was the receipt of red blood cells. This is an understandable concern - no matter how minute the amount. All of our immunization donors are normal, health individuals who undergo extensive screening and testing. We exhaust every means of testing to assure the safety of their blood. Prior to immunization a physician explains all safety measures and precautions. The fact that we have never encountered any post-injection problems in any recipient makes us very comfortable in using this procedure.

As a Rho D Immune Globulin donor, you will actively participate in the production of this vaccine. Having probably received the vaccine yourself, you can understand its importance to women who are having their families now. Once you are a member of the program, you will earn compensation for each donation. The Rh Incompatibility Program is a plasma program, and you can safely donate plasma twice a week. Each donation takes about 45 minutes.

The irony - for many of these infants - is that, because the vaccine works so wonderfully well, it has virtually eliminated its own natural source. Through programs like this, we ask the women who have already benefited from the vaccine to help produce it for those who desperately need it now - and in the future.

Please give this lifesaving program your most serious consideration. It would be our pleasure to further review it with you.

Thank you for considering being a donor with Southern Blood Service. If you have any questions, please call (615) 342-0180 or email.