Student organization hosts campus blood drive
One in three people will need a blood transfusion at least once in their lifetime.
That’s why Sasha Kean, vice president of the American Medical Student Association, thinks donating blood is so important.
AMSA and Allied Health Groups teamed up to hold their biannual blood drive Wednesday and Thursday. The blood drive is usually held in November and April.
Approximately 50 people were expected to donate, but the blood drive could handle up to 74 throughout the two-day drive, Kean said.
“ It is hard to fill up all the time, especially when a blood drive has just gone on for Homecoming,” Kean said. “There are so many blood drives.”
Fifty donors may not seem like a lot, but each donation — usually a pint from each person — can “potentially save three lives,” Kean said.
Most people that donated had donated previous times, but Kean said her personal goal was to recruit new people to donate.
“ If you don’t donate, how do you expect to get blood?” Kean said.
The blood drive accepted all blood types, but rare types like O- and O+, are encouraged to donate.
O- blood can be donated to any blood type, and O+ can donate to any other positive blood type, Kean said.
Kean said blood drives are very important because there is a constant shortage of blood in the United States.
“ It is sometimes discouraging, because you ask thousands of people to donate and have trouble getting 100,” Kean said.
Most people will be able to donate successfully, but there are a few criteria that donors must meet before being accepted.
First, all donors must weigh more than 110 pounds. They must also have had certain vaccinations, not been out of the country recently and do not have an iron deficiency.
Kean said those with an iron deficiency can still donate if they take iron pills. Iron deficiency caused by an irregular diet is a big reason that many college students can’t donate, Kean said.
Despite having to meet certain criteria, donating blood is an easy way to help others.
“ We need blood; no matter how poor you are, you always have something to give because you have blood,” Kean said.