2008 Woodie Awards
The Red Cross wants YOU to donate blood
Jennifer DeMoss
Issue date: 3/12/07 Section: Inside WCC
- Page 1 of 1
They want your blood, and they're coming to WCC to get it. You can run, you can hide, or you can donate your vital fluids when the Red Cross comes to campus on March 20 and 21.
Why is donating blood so important? Tanya King, the manager of development resources at the Washtenaw County Red Cross fielded that question.
"We try to have a seven day supply of blood but in our current inventory we have only a one day supply."
Types O and B are the two primary blood types the Red Cross is seeking, but King said that due to low supplies all blood types are needed.
The donation process takes about an hour, although the actual blood withdrawal only takes about ten minutes. Melissa Bortles, the college projects technician who organized the blood drive, shared some suggestions to help students and staff make successful donations.
First tip: bring a photo ID. Second tip: eat breakfast the day of the drive! "One of the number one reasons people get turned away is that they don't eat," said Bortles.
The first suggestion that King made was food related as well. "Leading up to the blood drive [donors] should be eating healthy," said King. "They should eat things like fiber, raisins, and meat to build up their systems."
According to King the adult human body contains about 11 pints of liquid, and the Red Cross typically takes about 1 pint. After blood loss the body needs to rebuild its original supply.
"Some people have a little bit of a reaction or feel weary after donating blood," said King. Donors should rest, avoid heavy lifting, and eat hearty meals a few days after the donation.
King also said that every pint of blood that the Red Cross receives is tested for disease.
"We get the lab results back within 24 hours," she said. Anyone from WCC who tests positive for a disease (think hepatitis or HIV, among others) will receive a confidential phone call from the Red Cross.
The goal for this year's drive is 90 pints of blood, although no one would mind topping that goal. Bortles said that at this time last year, WCC had its largest blood drive, with 108 pints of usable blood donated. Both she and King sincerely thanked blood donors for helping save lives; King said that one pint of blood could save three people.
PTK members will be in the Student Center building the week before the blood drive with a sign up sheet for potential donors. Students from PTK will also assist the day of the blood drive, as well as nursing students from WCC
Student Activities employee Sara Sanders said that students and staff can also sign up on the WCC webpage. Just click on the Student Activities link on the WCC events calendar, look for the link "Blood Drive - Think Green, Give Red," and follow the instructions.
Those who plan on donating blood should plan to be in the Morris Lawrence building March 20 or 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Why is donating blood so important? Tanya King, the manager of development resources at the Washtenaw County Red Cross fielded that question.
"We try to have a seven day supply of blood but in our current inventory we have only a one day supply."
Types O and B are the two primary blood types the Red Cross is seeking, but King said that due to low supplies all blood types are needed.
The donation process takes about an hour, although the actual blood withdrawal only takes about ten minutes. Melissa Bortles, the college projects technician who organized the blood drive, shared some suggestions to help students and staff make successful donations.
First tip: bring a photo ID. Second tip: eat breakfast the day of the drive! "One of the number one reasons people get turned away is that they don't eat," said Bortles.
The first suggestion that King made was food related as well. "Leading up to the blood drive [donors] should be eating healthy," said King. "They should eat things like fiber, raisins, and meat to build up their systems."
According to King the adult human body contains about 11 pints of liquid, and the Red Cross typically takes about 1 pint. After blood loss the body needs to rebuild its original supply.
"Some people have a little bit of a reaction or feel weary after donating blood," said King. Donors should rest, avoid heavy lifting, and eat hearty meals a few days after the donation.
King also said that every pint of blood that the Red Cross receives is tested for disease.
"We get the lab results back within 24 hours," she said. Anyone from WCC who tests positive for a disease (think hepatitis or HIV, among others) will receive a confidential phone call from the Red Cross.
The goal for this year's drive is 90 pints of blood, although no one would mind topping that goal. Bortles said that at this time last year, WCC had its largest blood drive, with 108 pints of usable blood donated. Both she and King sincerely thanked blood donors for helping save lives; King said that one pint of blood could save three people.
PTK members will be in the Student Center building the week before the blood drive with a sign up sheet for potential donors. Students from PTK will also assist the day of the blood drive, as well as nursing students from WCC
Student Activities employee Sara Sanders said that students and staff can also sign up on the WCC webpage. Just click on the Student Activities link on the WCC events calendar, look for the link "Blood Drive - Think Green, Give Red," and follow the instructions.
Those who plan on donating blood should plan to be in the Morris Lawrence building March 20 or 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Be the first to comment on this story