The Chart Online

SNA blood drive receives good turnout
Nate Billings

Staff Writer

September 2001 s blood drive had a record turnout with approximately 120 units of blood given.

This year, the average of 60 units were given at the Sept. 24 blood drive in the Connor Ballroom in the Billingsly Student Center.

It s an important service and can mean the difference between life and death, said Cathy Cole, assistant professor of the department of nursing.

Cole said last year the blood drive had to turn people away because too many were coming after the Sept. 11 attacks. The wait to have blood taken was an hour or longer. This year the wait was around 20 minutes on average.

T-shirts were given to persons who gave blood this year. On the T-shirts is a picture of the World Trade Center before the attacks. Foods such as bagels and pizza were also given out, but only to prevent donors from getting ill.

Nursing students helped run the food canteens as trained full-time Red Cross workers took blood.

Sarah Wohlwend, senior nursing major and vice president of the Student Nursing Association, said there was a steady turnout starting around noon.

It s a good opportunity for people to give back to your community, Wohlwend said. There s always a need for blood. You can come give your blood and donate life to someone who needs it.

The area hospitals are always needing blood, especially during holidays, said Chuck Hunt, SNA president. During the summer, supplies dwindle as colleges and schools are out.

Alan Anderson, freshman undecided major, gave blood at the drive. He said the part that hurt the most was getting stuck in the finger for the testing process. He thinks it s important for people to give blood.

If they can do so, there s no reason not to, Anderson said.

Rebecka Boyd, freshman nursing applicant, was unable to give blood during a blood shortage in Kansas City this past summer, but gave blood on Sept. 24.

I just wanted to give back to the community, Boyd said.

Donated blood has a shelf life of 42 days, but if frozen, it can last 10 years. However, frozen blood needs to be used within 24 hours of defrosting, said Gayla Fewell, donor resources supervisor.

Fewell said after a person gives blood, samples are sent off to test for 14 different diseases before the blood is used. She also said that nationally there has been a decrease in supply. Mad cow disease has caused the shortage. Anyone who has been to certain countries in Europe during the past year may not be able to give blood because of the disease. The West Nile virus has not been a problem because people who have the illness exhibit flu-like symptoms.

It s safe, it s simple and you can give every 56 days, Fewell said.

She said if a person gives a pint of blood, that pint can save three lives. Platelets are given to cancer patients, plasma is given to burn victims, and packed red blood cells are usually given to trauma patients.

I always give blood, said Valerie Boswell, junior environmental health major. I ve given since I was of age. It s really necessary because blood saves a lot of lives.

Michael Peluso, freshman accounting major, started giving blood during high school and has continued as often as possible.

Anytime I see a blood drive I think why not, Peluso said.

He eats and drinks before donating blood to prevent himself from getting ill. He had a problem last year giving blood. Peluso said he started to clot because he didn t consume enough water before donating.

Fewell said there are a few things people need to know before giving blood. Anyone with a tattoo must wait a year before giving blood. Sterile piercings are not a problem for the Red Cross blood drive. Diabetics can give blood, and those with high blood pressure can give blood as long as the condition is under control.

There will be another blood drive in March. It will be a community blood drive. Cole said if people couldn t come to the Sept. 24 blood drive, they can come to the next one and see if they can donate.