NHS students roll up sleeves, give blood

October 7, 2011 • Laura Strong, 12th grade Staff Writer  
Filed under News

 “Do you want to look away?”

“Yes. No, I mean, ah…” I fumble for the right words. Before I have time to make another comment, however, I feel a slight pinch in my left arm. The needle is in, and I am on my way to making my own contribution to the blood drive.

           BloodShareLifeCenterfirst came to the high school in 2004, where teachers and students have signed up to donate their blood ever since.

            For the students, it is a case of mind over matter. Fears of needles and the general sight of blood have been laid down in the name of helping their fellow man. Even Chris White, a first time giver, says that he isn’t nervous and that he feels the blood drive is a worthy cause.

            First experiences seem to be as varied as the people who donate, with some passing out while others merely get the chills and put on a brave face. Either way, their blood is still being given, a fact that people everywhere in need of a transfusion appreciate without doubt.

            “I know they need blood for surgeries and people in wrecks, and I’ve been in a situation like that myself,” Senior Candace Brown said.

            Whether they were type A or O, students banded together to donate a mass total of 72 units of blood. When asked why students donate their much-needed blood, the consensus seemed to be that they were “paying it forward”.

            Each visit to the blood drive earns the donor valuable points, which are redeemable online (www.lifesharedonorclub.org), or by phone (1-866-365-2717). Donors may use these points to purchase gift cards for iTunes or Walmart, or they may opt for a monetary award, among other things.

WHERE DOES THE BLOOD GO?

(all information courtesy of LifeShare Blood Centers)

• Children and adults undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant or surgery receive platelet or blood transfusions.
• Severe burn victims need  plasma and platelet transfusions.
• Patients receiving bone marrow transplants can require platelets from up to 120 donors and red blood cells from 20 donors.
• Car accident and other blood loss victims may require blood transfusions of 20 units.
• People with sickle cell anemia may need blood transfusions to avoid complications such as stroke, blindness or other organ damage.

TO DONATE BLOOD, YOU MUST:

• Be at least 17 years of age (if 16 years of age, parents can sign a permission form)
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Be in good health
• Have proof of identification

HEY!

• One in three people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime
• Less than 5% of the eligible population donates blood
• Hospitals need over 650 units of blood and blood components a day to meet patients’ needs.
• Someone needs a blood transfusion every two seconds.
• One unit of blood can help save up to three lives.
• Summer and holiday donations decrease by 20% while demand increases.

TIPS FOR BEFORE & AFTER DONATION

Before

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat regular meals to make sure you are not donating on an empty stomach.
• Drink plenty of fluids. When you donate blood your body loses about two cups of fluid. After donation your body replaces the fluid almost immediately by drawing water into your blood from surrounding tissues.

After

• Once you are finished donating blood, sit up on the donation bed and dangle your feet over the edge. Stay like that for a moment to make sure you will be able to stand and walk without passing out.
• Make sure you stay at the Revitalization for as long as you need to. Eat a snack. Drink a lot of water. Once you feel that you are up to leaving, do so.
• If you experience any light-headedness, tell a Donor Care Technician.
• If you get sick up to 48 hours after donation, please call and inform LifeShare. The virus would have been in your blood as you donated.

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