Out for blood

The IU Panhellenic Association, along with the American Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region (RVR), hosted the second annual Fraternity vs. Sorority Blood Challenge, which acquired 190 pints of blood. Organizers hoped that the blood drive would combat the recent nationwide blood shortage. \nAccording to the RVR Web site, surgeries have been postponed in the river valley region as a result of the blood shortage. Amber Richardson, donor recruitment representative for IU, said she hoped 375 people would give blood, but 210 people showed up and 190 pints of blood were collected. \nThough the goal was not reached, Richardson said, "Anytime you can collect 190 packs of blood it's a great trip." \nJunior Elizabeth Carlson, one of the donors, said her sorority, Phi Mu, is doing what it can to help the women win the contest. \n"We really want to win,"Carlson said. "It is also just good to give blood, if you are able."\nSaving lives is easier than you might expect. Donating blood only takes 45 minutes. And in those 45 minutes, one person could save three lives. \nMichael Young, spokesman for the RVR Blood Region, said the blood given in an average donation contains blood products that can go to three different people. \n"I think that if people knew that their donation saved lives, they would donate a lot more," Young said.\nAccording to the RVR Web site, only 5 percent of eligible donors give blood. Young said many people just expect blood to be at the hospital if one of their loved ones is in need. He stressed the only reason hospitals have extra blood is because people donate. \nThe donation process is fairly simple. All donors must fill out a 50-question health-history form, which helps determine whether they are eligible to donate or not. Next, donors will talk to a Red Cross representative about their health history and lifestyle. If eligible, the actual blood donation process can begin. \nThe donation takes around 10 minutes, taking only one pint of blood from each donor. According to the RVR Web site, the body has 10 to 12 pints of blood and losing one pint will hardly be noticeable. The body will replace the lost liquid within hours and the lost red blood cells within a few weeks.\nYoung said once the donation is complete, the blood is sent to a lab for testing to make sure it is safe to use. After thorough testing, it is sent to hospitals in the region. The RVR covers 70 counties in Indiana, Kentucky and Illinois. To put the shortage in perspective, an organ transplant patient could need up to 40 pints of blood during surgery. According to the RVR Web site, blood donations are also used for cancer patients, accident victims, burn patients and those with sickle-cell disease.\nYoung said blood donations can be made every 56 days, which is six times per year. Most people who donate only do so once or twice per year. With the national crisis, Young said that once or twice is not enough. \nAlthough the blood drive is over, blood can still be donated. The American Red Cross Monroe County Chapter, 411 E. 7th St., takes walk-ins and appointments. You can also donate blood on campus at the several upcoming blood drives. To find out when and where the next blood drive is, visit www.givebloodnow.org. If you would like to sponsor a blood drive or would like to volunteer at a blood drive, contact Amber Richardson at 1-800-732-1367. \n-- Contact staff writer Paige Harden at pharden@indiana.edu.