Students donate blood in order to save lives
Adrianna Payne
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: News
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Around 200 students donated their time and blood at the biannual Red Cross Blood Drive held Tuesday and Wednesday on the ASU campus.
Over 167 pints of blood were collected.
Kathleen Turner, Red Cross Blood Drive supervisor, said that a single pint of blood can help to save up to three lives.
"We have blood drives at ASU because we've got lots of young people with good blood, and there is a lot of team spirit and good kids that want to help out," Julie Huckaby, Red Cross Recruitment Director, said.
In order to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age. You also can not be on any antibiotics or have had any headaches with fever recently.
The whole process takes less than an hour. The Red Cross brings in their own nurses and also uses students as volunteers.
"It's nice knowing that if I can't give at least I can contribute something," Lauren Young, marketing major of Jonesboro, said.
In addition to helping those in need, many said they were motivated by classroom bonus points.
"It's for a good cause, but also because I get bonus points for class," said Kori Ruffin, a clinical laboratory science major from Osceola, when asked why she donated.
CJ Medley, a clinical laboratory science major from Portageville, Mo., knows what its like to have a family member in need of blood.
"My sister has had surgery a lot; they use IVs and have to transfer blood all the time; it's pretty tough," Medley said.
Other students were also motivated to donate by friends and family who have needed or are in need of blood.
"I have a bunch of buddies in my unit that are in Iraq, and a bunch of blood goes over there," said Grant Richardson, a finance banking major of Duenweg, Mo. "So it's like I'm giving back to them."
"My grandmother has received blood before, so I just like to help out and give blood back," said Madison Summers, early childhood education major of Jonesboro, said.
Almost everyone involved seems to have one common reason: it helps a great number of people.
"It's a great benefit to everyone, you never know about a family member who might be in need of blood," Desheal Winfrey, clinical laboratory science major of Wynn, said. "It's just a great way to help our community and others."
Ruffin believes that we should always think about the needs of other people. "There may be some one out there that needs a blood transfusion, and your blood would be beneficial." Ruffin said.
As far as pain goes, many students reported that it wasn't so bad.
"If you don't like needles, it's just the one second that they put it in; and after that you don't have to see it or worry about it," Austin Avery, pre-med biology major of Siloam Springs, said.
"The finger prick is the worst part; actually giving blood is not bad. Plus you get all the free food you want," Zach Elledge, history major of Pocahontas, said.
After giving blood, students are given a wide variety of snacks, which helps donors regain their strength, and it's also a "thank you." Each donor also receives a Red Cross T-Shirt.
The next blood drive at ASU will be held in the fall of 2009. For more information contact American Red Cross - Jonesboro at (870) 268-1990.
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