Student organizations, American Red Cross will 'Fight For Life'

Students at Emporia State are being given the chance to save a life this week.

“First of all, the main requirements are that you must be 17, must weigh 110 pounds and must be feeling well,” said Bev Kerbs, Donor Recruitment representative for the American Red Cross blood center in Wichita. “This winter there has been so much illness that our blood supply has been very low because our normal donors have been ill and unable to donate. We are hoping that the healthy students at ESU can make up for the loss.”

From 12:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday March 12 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday March 13, students will have the opportunity to give blood in the Memorial Union.

The event is being sponsored by Xi Phi, an honorary leadership fraternity for junior and seniors, the Caduceus Society, which is a pre-health organization on the ESU campus, and the American Red Cross. This is not only a chance to help save lives and give back to the community but it is actually a competition between ESU and Fort Hays State University.

“We are trying to win back the trophy from Fort Hays State,” said Ashley Brooks, junior elementary education major and president of UAC. “They have won the last four years so it’s about time that ESU takes it back. To win ESU must have the most pints of good blood donated.”

Students should allow about one hour to go through the entire process. When students show up to give blood, they can expect that they will be asked to read some eligibility guidelines. Students will then be taken back to an area with a touch screen computer and do a health history screening.

After the screening, a labotomist will take that student’s blood pressure and their finger will be pricked to check for plenty of iron in the blood.

“Once the paperwork is over students will be escorted over to one of the beds and that’s where the blood will be drawn,” Kerbs said. “The paper work is the longest part of the process because laying there and giving blood usually only takes six to ten minutes. when the needle is actually in the arm, students only have to give one pint.”

Once students have donated their pint of blood they are escorted over to the refreshment area. There, students will get to snack on free cookies and Kool-Aid while they rest for about 15 minutes. They will also receive a free t-shirt to show that they donated.

“I’ll probably go,” said Michelle Thompson, sophomore elementary education major. “It’s for a good cause. It can help out a lot of people [and] who doesn’t love to get free cookies and a t-shirt. I’ve done it before and it really doesn’t even hurt that much. It’s just like you pricked your finger when they stick you with the needle.”

In about 4 to 6 weeks after students have donated they will receive a card in the mail with their blood type and acknowledging that they donated. Students can use this card for identification next time they donate. The goal for ESU is to collect 70 productive/ good units of blood each day, which means 140 units all together.

“People should come to save lives. Just one unit of blood can save three lives,” Kerbs said. “In on pint of blood there are red blood cells, platelets and plasma. These three components can be broken down into three separate units and shared with 3 different recipients. It’s a really awesome feeling to know that you have helped someone to live.”

Students planning to donate should drink plenty of water in the days before they donate and should eat foods high in iron. Anyone with questions should contact the Union Activities Council.