“Just one pint of blood can save up to three lives. I think students knowing this definitely encourages them to donate,” said Johnney Russ, ASG Vice President.
The Red Cross blood drive makes its way to Clackamas Community College every year; the next drive will be held on Jan. 28 and 29 in the Gregory Forum.
Its presence sparked The Print to ask what would stop anyone from donating to such a positive cause.
Naturally, removing blood from your body isn’t something you’d just sign up for without a few questions. Students around campus were asked if they’d heard about the blood drive and if they were planning to donate. When asked if they planned to donate, many students wondered if they were even eligible to give blood. According to the American Association of Blood Banks center’s website, most myths around blood donations are in cases where people are unsure if any preexisting medical conditions or lifestyle choices will disqualify them.
“I can’t give blood because I’m afraid of needles and I’ll pass out!” laughed first-year student Hannah Waite.
According to the AABB’s website, the most common myths are having high blood pressure, cholesterol, allergies, diabetes, anemia and medications.
“Twenty percent of the blood donated to the American Red Cross comes from blood drives held at high schools and colleges, just like CCC,” said Jared Schultzman, a Red Cross spokesperson. “And most people who become lifetime donors first experience giving blood at school blood drives, so the Red Cross is very grateful to be able to hold events like this.”
Of course, many are reluctant to give blood because of the fear of needles. In most cases however, these worries are very specific to the individual and all depend on time frames or severity. The Red Cross’s website has a whole page of eligibility requirements that donors must meet to give blood. Every donor must take a detailed screening questionnaire right before donating, so any questions or disqualifying factors would be known at that time.
One of the cases would be student Demetrius Frank.
“I heard about the blood drive. I’ve donated plenty in the past,” said Frank. “However, I went to Uganda so I can’t donate blood for the next 10 years.”
According to the Red Cross’s website, this is because by traveling outside of the U.S. you can be exposed to malaria. If a potential donor has traveled outside the U.S. and Canada, travel details will be discussed at the time of donation.
The Blood Drive will take place in Gregory Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and Thursday, Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule your appointment or for more info contact the ASG office at (503) 594-3932.