In contrast to the student apathy that is a frequent complaint on UB's campus, students have been actively donating blood to the American Red Cross. The latest visit to UB took place Thursday, March 27.
According to Terry Smith, a blood donor specialist for the American Red Cross, blood donations - which she said have "risen dramatically" due to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and the war with Iraq - are particularly high among college students.
"I have been working with the American Red Cross for 11 years," she said. "College students in particular have always tended to respond more when our country is in a state of crisis."
Smith said college students are consistent donors due the ease and convenience with which donations can be made and the fact that giving blood comes at no cost to students.
"Many students choose to donate because it is just so easy," Smith said. "When students give blood, they are also helping a cause that they feel strongly about without feeling the pinch on their wallet."
Divina Paul, a senior communications major, said donating blood makes students feel helpful.
"Many of my friends donate because they feel like they're helping a large cause in a small way," Paul said. "I have always felt that the American Red Cross is a great cause, and I donate because you never know when a family member, a friend or yourself may need blood."
"If I was ever in a situation where I needed blood, I know that I could count on the Red Cross for help," said Chiara Noetzel, a freshman. "The Red Cross is a great organization, and the people who work for the Red Cross are wonderful with the people giving donations."
Carol Fitzpatrick, an American Red Cross employee, said working with students is one of the things she likes about her job.
"I love working in the schools because the students are just so wonderful," she said. "I see so many students and talk to so many nice people during the blood drives. I haven't had the chance to work in one of the centers yet, but I don't mind because when I work for the mobiles, I get to see so many wonderful students. "
The Red Cross requires potential donors to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, not have received any body piercing or tattoo in the last year and must not use intravenous drugs. Potential donors are also ineligible if they have given blood less than 56 days before the attempted donation.
Before giving blood, Fitzpatrick said, potential donors must fill out a health questionnaire, undergo a mini-physical examination and be tested for iron deficiencies. Once these steps are completed, a Red Cross examiner asks potential donors a few final questions before determining whether they are allowed to give blood.
Ashley Bovenzi, a sophomore double major in American studies and music performance, said she is comfortable with the screening process of the American Red Cross.
"I have given blood several times," she said. "Even if you have the slightest bit of a cold or anything, they turn you away. This is really important and makes me feel really confident that the blood anyone would get would be suitable and safe."
After blood is donated, it undergoes a series of 12 laboratory tests, which include screening for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis. If the blood is found to contain any of these viruses or other complications, it is destroyed and the donor is notified immediately. The person's name is also entered into a computer database to prevent him or her from making donations in the future.
"There have been many changes to the standards over the past several years," Smith said. "It is very important to have safe blood available for those in need. We don't have to turn away blood all that much, but unfortunately, it does happen. That's why we do such an in-depth screening beforehand."
