One donation can save three lives

Hana Anderson, 19, nursing, proudly shows her dressing after donating blood for the American Red Cross blood drive at Saddleback College. (Capper Durham)

The American Red Cross was on the Saddleback College campus last Wednesday for a two-day blood drive held in the Student Services Center, Room 212. ARC’s goal was to collect 100 units of blood.

Donating blood takes only a few minutes and one pint of blood can save up to three lives, according to the ARC’s website. The blood collected at Saddleback can be used to service 150 people in hospitals throughout California, according to one of the Red Cross technicians.

Several students who participated said it was not a frightening experience.

“Try not to be afraid of the needle,” said Fernando Hernandez, 23, psychology. “And think about the difference you are making.”

James Rogers, 26, business, is no stranger to this process.

“I have done it a lot more than 10 times, maybe even 20,” Rogers said.

Although it was Hana Anderson’s first time giving blood, she was pleasantly surprised by the free food and discounted Anaheim Ducks tickets offered.

“It went well,” Anderson, 19, nursing, said. “Free food and discounted Ducks tickets, who can argue with that?”

Blood donation follows a five-step process from donation to distribution.

First the donation which of course requires a healthy donor, said donor is required to undergo a brief screening process including the donors medical history and current physical health condition.

If all goes well the donation is able to be received. Bring an ID, a friend, and a positive/relaxed mentality. Donors must stay hydrated, positive, comfortable and maintain a healthy level of iron to insure the safety and quality of the donation.

The second and third step in the process are parallel, the second step is the actual processing of the blood collected into it’s three major components; red blood cells, platelets and plasma, from there the samples are tested to ensure the safety of the recipient and quality of the sample. The results are made available within a 24 hour period however, they are still subject to confidentiality.

The red blood cells and plasma are packaged and stored in six degree celsius coolers, and the platelets are stored room temperature,  all awaiting their call of duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

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