On Nov. 6, the Red Cross hosted a blood drive in the Overman Student Center Ballrooms. The event was sponsored by Kansas Association of Nursing Students and Omicron Delta Kappa, allowing Pitt State’s nursing students to be a part of the event.
Maddie Williams, a charge nurse for the Red Cross, said to take steps before donating blood, including drinking water and eating to make sure you have a good experience.
“Before giving blood, you want to make sure that you’re hydrated,” Williams said. “You have a meal the night before and the day of, before your appointments.”
While giving blood can be daunting to someone who has never donated, Williams said to try not to be nervous and not to work out beforehand. Working out before donating can lead to passing out.
“Just be ready, try not to be anxious, which is easier said than done,” Williams said. “But other than that, just make sure you’re drinking a lot of fluids and do not work out before a donation. Your heart rate will be on the far up. We have to have it under 100 and if you work out typically, it’s going to be above 100 and your blood pressure will be high as well. You’re more likely to pass out.”
Only about 20% of college students donate blood, with 6.8 million people in the U.S. donating blood. Currently the United States is in a blood shortage, with the lack of blood being increased due to the holidays being just around the corner. During these seasons, people become more likely to get into car crashes and have injuries that require them to need blood.
Williams said participating in blood drives are beneficial to people in need, like trauma patients, babies, cancer patients, and those who need blood transfusions.
“With you donating blood, you are saving at least three lives per donation,” Williams said.
Williams said that donating blood can be beneficial to the donor as well.
“It benefits your body. It helps you keep reproducing red blood cells and new plasma. It’s like a body reset.”
Though some can feel uneasy about the pint that is taken when you give blood, the average adult has around five liters or 10-12 pints of blood in their body. After blood donation it only takes a few days to a week to regain the blood that was donated.
Julia Kurr, a senior majoring in nursing who often gives blood, said that the process is easy.
“Giving blood is a very easy process,” Kurr said. “You just come in, you answer the questionnaire about all of your health, and then, by the time you get on the table, you’ve done all the hard work, and then in three or four minutes, you’re done giving blood.”
Kurr said she chooses to donate because it makes sense to her even if others do not donate.
“There are so many people who are able to donate, but not so many people who are willing,” Kurr said. “And so, because I’m willing and able to donate, why would I not?”
As an incentive to donate blood, many places, including the Red Cross, give out freebies after you donate, such as gift cards or shirts.
Jaydon Morrison, a sophomore majoring in polymer chemistry, arrived early in the morning to donate. Having donated before, Morrison is comfortable with the process.
“I’ve given blood quite a bit, this is my first time doing it here in Pittsburg,” Morrison said. “It’s something that my parents always did growing up and something they encouraged me to do as well.”