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Printer-Friendly ModeBlood drive accounts for 68 pints of blood
December 5, 2005 —
The Michigan Community Blood Center held SVSU's last blood drive of the semester on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 17 and 18.
The Blood Center is also responsible for supplying blood to all the local hospitals within the Tri-counties, including Gladwin and St. Clair counties. In order to keep these hospitals with a sufficient amount of blood they need at least 150 pints of blood per day per hospital.
"We hope to get at least 50 pints here at Saginaw Valley today," said Marlene Bergen, charge nurse and trainer for the Michigan Community Blood Center, on Thursday. "With one pint of blood, up to three people can be helped. The blood that is drawn goes to cancer patients, burn victims, and victims of accidents. It may also be used to help patients during surgery."
Jada Smith, a senior nursing student, has always given blood in the past and said that it is virtually painless.
"I gave blood today because I feel that it's my duty and also the right thing to do and because it feels good to know that you are helping someone," she added.
The September blood drive broke its all-time record, drawing 118 pints with 42 new donors. The November blood drive had a total of 96 donors with 21 new register donors, drawing 68 pints of blood, reaching the 50-pint goal.
To become a donor, one must be at least 17 years old and 110 pounds. The process takes about 45 minutes, 10 minutes of which is actually the blood drawing. Donors may donate every 56 days.
The blood drive here at SVSU is done about every eight weeks and is also open to the public.
Those who wish to donate blood can attend the blood drives on campus or go to the Michigan Community Blood Center, located at 1717 Tittabawassee.
For more information on donating blood call (989) 755-5387.