By Kevin Quintana

 
Contributing Writer

Students, staff and faculty visited the Carter Blood Care bus Sept. 10 when it came to the Brookhaven College to take donations. Teresa Nguyen, student, said, “I feel like it’s my way of giving back to the community.”

The process of donating blood begins with a simple questionnaire involving travel history, health records and other basics.. A nurse then takes a small blood sample, which is used to check the donor’s iron level and make sure they are in optimum condition to donate blood. The nurse draws a pint of blood, which can save three lives, according to carterbloodcare.org.

After the donation process is complete, the nurse gives some recommendations regarding the effects the donation might have on the donor’s body. The donor is asked to go into the waiting area of the bus where they can enjoy some snacks. Donors are allowed to leave after they begin to feel recovered and energized. “It’s worth the time it takes,’’ Cindy Chicas, student, said.

According to carterbloodcare.org donated blood is most commonly used for the treatment of accident victims, burns and blood loss during surgery. It is also used to increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of a patient’s blood. Donated blood must be used within 42 days of donation.

According to Carter Blood Care,about 33 percent of people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime. About 37 percent of the American population is eligible to donate, but only about 10 percent donate. That is not enough blood to fulfill the demand the U.S. has.

“Donating makes me feel good about myself, and proud that I can help,” Carlos Mercado, student, said.

For more information on donating, readers can visit carterbloodcare.org or visit a location near campus. Students interested in donating blood can call the Addison Donor Center at 972 960-8895 or Preston Valley Donor Center at 972 980- 9210 to set up an appointment.