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T H E C L A C K A M A S P R IN T
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JA N . 28, 2015
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V O L . 48 IS S U E 10
Blood drive, care to
share a pint?
by Marissa Nwerem
drawn fo r the first time in October, 2014.
ust 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 Com m unity 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 some
thing you’d just sign up for without a few questions.
Students around campus were asked if theyd heard
about the blood drive and if they were planning to do
nate. W hen asked if they planned to donate, m any stu
dents wondered if they were even eligible to give blood.
According to the American Association o f Blood Banks
¿enter’s website, m ost myths around blood donations are
in cases where people are unsure if any preexisting m ed-
cal conditions or lifestyle choices will disqualify them.
“I can’t give blood because I’m afraid of needles and
£’11 pass out!” laughed first-year student H annah Waite.
According to the AABB’s website, the naost comm on
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. “A nd m ost people w ho become lifetime do
nors first experience giving blood at school blood drives, so
the Red Cross is very grateful to be abletohold events likethis.”
O f course, m any are reluctant to give blood because of
the fear of needles. In m ost 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 m ust meet
to give blood. Every donor m ust take a detailed screen
ing 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 plen
ty in the past,” said Frank. “However, I went to Ugan
da 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 Can
ada, travel details will be discussed at the tim e 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.
A phlebotomist for the Red Cross draws blood from a
CCC student.