2008 Woodie Awards
Three-day blood drive saves lives
Danielle Calkins
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Arts & Lifestyle
- Page 1 of 1
The Student Optimist Club is currently hosting a three-day American Red Cross Blood Drive.
The event began yesterday and will continue today and Thursday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Esker Hall.
Coordinating the drive for the past nine semesters are Tara Hoaglund and Korryn Fenne. Hoaglund has worked with the Student Optimist Club since she was a freshman and believes blood drives are vital to the community.
"Blood drives are extremely important because almost every single one of us knows someone that has needed blood or blood components in their lifetime," Hoaglund said. "Only about 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood, and the need for blood is increasing, especially among cancer patients. Our blood drive is crucial because it is held right before the holidays, a time when donations are very low but needed the most."
Students wanting to donate must be in good health and meet certain requirements. Students must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and it must be a minimum of 56 days since their last donation.
A new rule making it easier for students to meet the requirements states that a person who receives a body piercing or tattoo within the last year can now donate as long as the facility is licensed.
One of the top reasons students don't donate is simply because of fear. Hoaglund said with the blood drive, students can learn to conquer these fears.
"Most students' excuses are that they don't like needles or that they are afraid it will hurt," Hoaglund said. "Nobody likes needles, but you can save up to three different peoples' lives by donating and being uncomfortable for 10 minutes."
Blood donated at the drive will be distributed first to Wisconsin residents in need. In the case of a surplus of blood, it will be shipped to areas outside Wisconsin who need it the most.
According to the American Red Cross, blood drives are a way to give someone a second chance at life. Junior Abby Johnson donates regularly and couldn't agree more.
"It makes me feel good to donate because I know I am helping others in need," Johnson said.
By donating, students obtain a mini health check by receiving a blood pressure check, cholesterol screening, temperature and pulse readings, and an iron level testing. Donating blood also takes off one pound, and recent studies have shown that men who gave blood three times a year reduced their risk of a heart attack by more than 50 percent.
The need for blood is increasing and students with all blood types are encouraged to stop by, as walk-ins are welcome.
The event began yesterday and will continue today and Thursday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. in Esker Hall.
Coordinating the drive for the past nine semesters are Tara Hoaglund and Korryn Fenne. Hoaglund has worked with the Student Optimist Club since she was a freshman and believes blood drives are vital to the community.
"Blood drives are extremely important because almost every single one of us knows someone that has needed blood or blood components in their lifetime," Hoaglund said. "Only about 5 percent of the eligible population donates blood, and the need for blood is increasing, especially among cancer patients. Our blood drive is crucial because it is held right before the holidays, a time when donations are very low but needed the most."
Students wanting to donate must be in good health and meet certain requirements. Students must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and it must be a minimum of 56 days since their last donation.
A new rule making it easier for students to meet the requirements states that a person who receives a body piercing or tattoo within the last year can now donate as long as the facility is licensed.
One of the top reasons students don't donate is simply because of fear. Hoaglund said with the blood drive, students can learn to conquer these fears.
"Most students' excuses are that they don't like needles or that they are afraid it will hurt," Hoaglund said. "Nobody likes needles, but you can save up to three different peoples' lives by donating and being uncomfortable for 10 minutes."
Blood donated at the drive will be distributed first to Wisconsin residents in need. In the case of a surplus of blood, it will be shipped to areas outside Wisconsin who need it the most.
According to the American Red Cross, blood drives are a way to give someone a second chance at life. Junior Abby Johnson donates regularly and couldn't agree more.
"It makes me feel good to donate because I know I am helping others in need," Johnson said.
By donating, students obtain a mini health check by receiving a blood pressure check, cholesterol screening, temperature and pulse readings, and an iron level testing. Donating blood also takes off one pound, and recent studies have shown that men who gave blood three times a year reduced their risk of a heart attack by more than 50 percent.
The need for blood is increasing and students with all blood types are encouraged to stop by, as walk-ins are welcome.
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