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Save lives by donating blood February 4-5


While you are reading this, someone in America will need blood. Blood is needed every three seconds in hospitals around the country and here in West Tennessee.

Even though, thousands of Americans donated blood after the tragedies that occurred on September 11, there are still dramatic shortages in many parts of the country. Tennessee is not exempt from these shortages. This is why blood donations are so important. Three lives are saved by every pint of donated blood.

“A lot of people expect blood to be there when they need it, but this will not be the case if everyone does not get out and donate," said Faye Hayden with the Louisville Red Cross Chapter. If every blood donor gave blood 2 to 4 times a year, there would be no shortages.

Donating blood is one of the simplest things that students can do to save lives. Everyone knows how important blood donation is, but people are still reluctant to donate because of ignorance or fear.

Anyone in good health, at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds, is eligible to give blood every 56 days. If you begin donating at age 17 and continue to donate blood every 56 days, you will have donated 48 gallons of blood by the time you are 76 years old.

When the donor first arrives, he or she will be asked several questions including date of birth and social security number. A mini-physical will also be performed; this includes checking his or her pulse, blood pressure, temperature and red blood count.

To begin the donation process, an area of the arm the donor chooses to donate with will then be cleansed. All of the supplies, including the needle, are sterile and will be used only once, for that donor. When the actual donation begins, the donor will feel a slight “sting” from the needle. The donor will have given about a pint of blood when the donation is finished.

The body will replace the plasma in hours and the cells within a few weeks. When the donation is complete, he or she will receive donation instructions and a snack to help replenish nutrients lost during the donation.

Although most people feel fine before and after donating blood, a small number may experience an upset stomach, a faint or dizzy feeling or a black and blue mark or redness where the needle was.

Anytime is a good time to donate blood. It is estimated that less than five percent of the sixty percent of eligible donors actually give blood. If students choose to donate, they’ll experience a fulfilling sense of contribution because you can save three lives with just one donation.

And the donation process is not time-consuming. While the actual donation time is six to eight minutes, the entire process-from the time you sign to the time you leave-will take no longer than one hour.

“Blood is like a parachute. If you always have it, chances are you won't need it in an emergency; but it’s always good to have it there,” said Hayden.

The Lifeline Blood Mobile will be on the UTM campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 4-5.