Blood drive returns to Mt. SAC
Christina Ruiz
Issue date: 4/2/07 Section: Feature
Building 9C will be marked by bloodshed March 28-29 as the second blood drive of the Spring 2007 semester takes place.
The blood drive, sponsored by the nation's largest blood collector, The American Red Cross, brought in 135 units of blood, Public Affairs Manager Teresa Solorio said.
The American Red Cross is responsible for collecting about 45-55 percent of the nation's blood.
"Of that percentage, 20 percent of all donations come from high school and college campuses, they are a major factor of good blood supply," Solorio said.
Once blood is collected it gets transported to the nearest processing center to be tested for viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis. Once the blood is cleared, it is transported to local hospitals. However, in the case of Hurricane Katrina, any blood collected and cleared is transported directly to the site of emergency.
Why donate?
Every two seconds in the United States someone needs blood; making it imperative that 38,000 donations be collected daily.
Donating is simple. Individuals must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. On the average, adults contain 10-12 pints of blood and only one pint is taken at the time of donation. Don't be timid of the needles, everything used is sterile.
In Southern California, there is always a shortage of blood.
"We only get about 60 percent of the blood needed, Solorio said. "If everyone who donates donated again later in the year, then there would be no blood shortage."
Three components of the donor's whole blood may be processed and used; red blood cells (RBC's), plasma and platelets. Bone marrow may also be donated since part of the blood may be used for different patients, many more are reached by every donation.
The most common and universal blood type is O negative. Sixty percent of Hispanics and 45 percent of Caucasians have type O negative blood.
As for the quantity of blood needed, one accident victim may require four to 100 units of RBC's, for a kidney transplant, two units of RBC's and for one cancer treatment two to six units of RBC's and six to eight units of platelets daily for two to four weeks are necessary.
The next blood drive will take place April 3-5 also May 8-9; 9 a.m.-8:15 p.m. in building 9C.
For more information regarding future blood drives at Mt.SAC, contact the Student Life Office at ext. 4525. Or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE for information on other blood drives.
The blood drive, sponsored by the nation's largest blood collector, The American Red Cross, brought in 135 units of blood, Public Affairs Manager Teresa Solorio said.
The American Red Cross is responsible for collecting about 45-55 percent of the nation's blood.
"Of that percentage, 20 percent of all donations come from high school and college campuses, they are a major factor of good blood supply," Solorio said.
Once blood is collected it gets transported to the nearest processing center to be tested for viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis. Once the blood is cleared, it is transported to local hospitals. However, in the case of Hurricane Katrina, any blood collected and cleared is transported directly to the site of emergency.
Why donate?
Every two seconds in the United States someone needs blood; making it imperative that 38,000 donations be collected daily.
Donating is simple. Individuals must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. On the average, adults contain 10-12 pints of blood and only one pint is taken at the time of donation. Don't be timid of the needles, everything used is sterile.
In Southern California, there is always a shortage of blood.
"We only get about 60 percent of the blood needed, Solorio said. "If everyone who donates donated again later in the year, then there would be no blood shortage."
Three components of the donor's whole blood may be processed and used; red blood cells (RBC's), plasma and platelets. Bone marrow may also be donated since part of the blood may be used for different patients, many more are reached by every donation.
The most common and universal blood type is O negative. Sixty percent of Hispanics and 45 percent of Caucasians have type O negative blood.
As for the quantity of blood needed, one accident victim may require four to 100 units of RBC's, for a kidney transplant, two units of RBC's and for one cancer treatment two to six units of RBC's and six to eight units of platelets daily for two to four weeks are necessary.
The next blood drive will take place April 3-5 also May 8-9; 9 a.m.-8:15 p.m. in building 9C.
For more information regarding future blood drives at Mt.SAC, contact the Student Life Office at ext. 4525. Or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE for information on other blood drives.
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