Making an impact on the wellbeing of another person doesn't have to mean contributing hours of time through charities and other organizations. The American Red Cross and UB are working together to host blood drives, where students can help to save lives in a matter of minutes.
According to Angie Jackson, a technician at the American Red Cross center in Buffalo, the blood donating process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Students are required to take a questionnaire asking them about their health in order to determine whether they are eligible to donate.
"The questionnaire is given to receive important information about the health of those giving blood. It asks important information about iron levels and heart problems donors may have encountered in order to get the best results," Jackson said.
Melysa Uschold, a sophomore mathematics major, has been through the process and recalls that the questionnaire was not tedious or difficult to answer.
"I was given a brief questionnaire to fill out before I could give blood, which asked questions about traveling to other countries and other health related questions," Uschold said.
According to Jackson, all donors are given a booklet with information about the specific medications that can be transfused from donated blood and those that are unacceptable. The booklet also provides students with information about confidentiality, testing and storage procedure, and lists the risks for students who may come up positive with anything. The regulations must be followed to abide by the FDA and Center for Disease Control.
"When the blood goes back into the lab, it is put through nucleic acid testing for hepatitis, HIV, malaria and the West Nile virus. Students have the right not to participate in the testing that is done. However, if they choose not to, their blood will not be drawn," Jackson said.
According to Jackson there are other small restrictions students are required to pass in order to donate blood. Donors must weigh over 110 pounds, have a temperature below 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit, blood pressure below 180/100 and a pulse range of 100 or below.
"These are all issues that contribute to the circulatory system, and it is not hard for anybody with generally good health to meet," Jackson said.
Lori Bevilacqua, a freshman business major, did not have any problems meeting the requirements and was able to give blood twice.
"Some of the restrictions I was told about included being a certain weight, traveling to other countries and specific medications that were not allowed," Bevilacqua said.
According to Jackson, only five percent of the population actually donates blood, which contributes to a constant shortage. Those donating blood are eligible to donate six times a year and can give one pint of blood every 56 days.
"There was a certain time period in which you had to wait before you could give blood again, and that's how long I waited before I gave blood the second time, about four months ago in January," Bevilacqua said.
According to Jackson, the blood donated by students normally stays in the region, however, it is utilized wherever it is needed in the nation. The Armed Forces are also supplied with blood.
Students like Uschold and Bevilacqua who have given blood in the past have done so because they believed it was for a good cause, and would potentially save a life.
"I gave blood six months ago at the American Red Cross center in Buffalo. I gave blood because I thought it was for a good cause," Uschold said.
These students believe in taking the opportunity to make a significant difference in another person's life.
"The main reason I gave blood was because I believe it can save lives, and I was eligible to help in that process, so I did what I could," Bevilacqua said.
The next blood drive will take place Tuesday in Hadley Village at 3 p.m.
