American Red Cross blood drive a success

12.3.09 / Features / By Carly White

The holiday season is all about giving. Gifts are a way to show relatives and friends that you care about them.

The same care and thoughtfulness can be extended to strangers. One way to do this is by giving the gift of life by donating blood to the local blood banks and the various blood drives that occur throughout the year.

The American Red Cross, which was founded in 1881, is the nation’s top emergency response organization.

According to www.redcross.org the oganization provides community services to those who are in need, supports the military and their families, collects, processes and distributes blood and blood products, promotes health and safety and hold relief and development programs.

The American Red Cross came to the Clarion University campus 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 for the final Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council blood drive of 2009 in the Gemmell Multipurpose Room.

The room was divided into different sections for the event. Outside the doors was a registration table.

After registering, students were taken to a small area to make sure they met all of the eligibility requirements.

There was a small waiting area at the entrance, and the center had several beds for donating students. There was also a small area with food and drinks when students were done.

This blood drive was a big success due to so many students coming in to donate.

The impulse to give during the holiday season was apparent with the amount of donors present.

Shawna Lind, a volunteer at the blood drive, said she was happy to see that this blood drive, compared to others this semester, had such a big response from the students.

“The past few blood drives haven’t had this big of a response. This time, we had the biggest response I have ever seen and I have been working them for the past couple of months,” Lind said.

Donating blood gives people the opportunity to give back and help others. Jonathan Hedrick, a nursing student and a regular donor, said one pint of blood can help save up to three lives.

“It makes me feel better about myself because I am O positive, and it can go to anyone with a positive RH factor. It makes me feel really good knowing that my blood can go to almost anyone,” says Hedrick.

To donate blood, the American Red Cross has eligibility guidelines for those who are interested. To donate you must be over 17, you must feel well and have no fever.
It is recommended you do not donate if you are pregnant. You must wait 12 months after getting a tattoo.

Other eligibility requirements are listed on the American Red Cross Web site.

If the requirements are met, the process of donating blood begins. Students had the opportunity to register online to make the process easier.
Even if students didn’t register, walk-ins were welcome.

Before a person can donate, the American Red Cross will check the iron in his or her blood. If the iron is at a good level, then the person can donate.

They extract a pint of blood from the persons arm, and then the donor can eat and stay until he or she feels well enough to leave.

“I always recommend to my friends to donate blood, even if they are scared of needles. It is worth the price of turning your head for a few minutes to help save a few lives,” Hedrick said.

Not only were people given the chance to give, but they had a chance to receive. The American Red Cross sponsored a drawing for the Greater Alleghenies Region to win a super prize package including, round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and two tickets to the 44th NFL Championship Game in Miami in February.

“Donate your blood because it will really help someone in the long run and, who knows, maybe you will need it in the future,” Lind said.
For more information on the Red Cross organization visit www.redcross.org.

Carly White is a staff features writer for The Call.

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