Spring Break
Blood in short supply in Texas
By: Teri Ruland
Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: News
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"Every day we need 900 units [of blood]," said Sheena Abraham, a public relations associate for the Blood Center of Brazos Valley.
There have been blood drives scheduled throughout the Brazos Valley including Bryan, College Station, Huntsville and Madisonville to make up for lost blood donations.
"Every donation saves three lives because of the components of the blood: red blood cells, platelets and plasma," Abraham said.
She said each of the components can be given to a different patient and patients in hospitals need blood every day, not just during emergencies.
"The Blood Center of Brazos Valley provides blood to [St. Joseph's Regional Health Center, College Station Medical Center and Brazos Valley Physician's Organization]. Every day there [are] premature babies, cancer patients, sickle cell anemia patients in there, and they all need blood donations on a daily basis," Abraham said.
Blood donations stay within the community the blood is donated in. Abraham said it is important to have blood ready for when it is needed, rather than have emergency blood drives.
"[We helped with a] week-long blood drive with M.D. Anderson, the blood bank out of Houston, Carter Blood Care out of Waco and the Blood Center of Brazos Valley, which is [located] in College Station," said Alpha Phi Omega member and a senior agricultural communications and journalism major Matthew Miranda.
Miranda said it was the first time to do a blood drive on campus but the quota was met every day. The fraternity will be helping with another blood drive in November with the American Red Cross and Scott & White out of Waco.
"I was diagnosed with a qualitative platelet disorder, [a clotting disorder], and received four and a half units of blood over a period of about five days, which was over half the blood in my body," said Zara Perciful, a senior construction science major who received platelets when she was 14 years old.
She said she probably would have died without blood donations.
Perciful said donors should eat red meat and green vegetables so they will not be rejected when they donate.
She said people who are unable to donate can volunteer time with blood donation centers and talk to people about donating blood.
"[Donors are recruited] through our Commit for Life program, where [the donor] decides to donate at least once a quarter and gets a certain number of points [that are redeemable for prizes]" Abraham said.
"Future donors should know that it's simple to donate. It doesn't cost a thing. It takes one hour from the time you walk in until the time you leave, and every time you donate, you're helping save lives."
Blood drives:
Place:
Scott & White in Bryan College Station
1600 University Drive
College Station, TX 77840
Date:
Oct. 1, 2008
Time:
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
All October donors will receive a free shirt, sqeezie and pint of Blue Bell ice cream.
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