Blood drive is Oct. 24 and 25
The American Red Cross Blood Drive is back; make an appointment today!
The drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 24 and 25, in Room 304, Murray-Herrick Campus Center. Schedule an appointment by logging onto the American Red Cross Web site. Create a new profile and use the sponsor code: ustthomas.
Also, volunteers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. There are many different jobs for which you can sign up. Please contact the Wellness Center if you are interested.
To give blood for transfusion to another person, you must be healthy, be at least 17 years old or 16 years old if allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood in the last eight weeks (56 days). "Healthy" means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, "healthy" also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.
If you're not sure whether you'll be able to give or not (i.e., out-of-country travels), call 1 (800) GIVE LIFE or 1 (800) 448-3543 and check the eligibility requirements to get answers to specific eligibility questions you may have. Eligibility requirements also may vary for some states and blood centers. Final eligibility is determined by medical professionals at the time of donation. Please feel free to also contact the Wellness Center, (651) 962-6128, if you have questions or concerns.
Here are the top 10 reasons to give blood:
- You will get free juice and cookies.
- You will weigh less – one pint less when you leave than when you arrived.
- It's easy and convenient – it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.
- It's something you can spare – most people have blood to spare, yet there is still not enough to go around.
- Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.
- You will walk a little taller afterwards – you will feel good about yourself.
- You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.
- It's something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous – blood is something money can't buy; only something one person can give to another.
- You will be someone's hero – you may give a newborn, a child, a mother, a father, a brother or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
- It's the right thing to do.
