Blood drive benefits
donors, recipients

By Laura Frey

Love was in the air in more ways than just flowers and candy on Valentine’s Day. It was there in the form of the NCC Blood Drive.

Organized by Phi Theta Kappa, the drive was a sweet success. The goal for the day was 50 donors, and the sign-up sheet alone showed 65.

Along with the signed up volunteers, organizer Rin Keller says there was a steady flow of walk-ins throughout the day.

So what exactly were the requirements to give blood? Keller, an NCC student helping to coordinate the event, pointed to a sheet that the donors had to read prior to giving blood.

The main requirements included weighing a minimum of 110 pounds and being drug free. However, it was also important to check that the donors hadn’t traveled to certain countries in the past three months where harmful diseases are more prevalent.

Why the restriction of weighing 110 pounds? The standard amount of blood taken from each person is one pint. If someone doesn’t weigh enough, losing that much blood in one sitting could be dangerous.

Why drug free? It’s pretty self explanatory, but basically, the people receiving the blood need the best, cleanest, healthiest stuff out there.

Clearly the requirements for donating serve a purpose. Even with them, however, some people still got a bit queasy and light-headed. When asked about whether people have been feeling okay after donating, Keller glanced over into the blood giving room, nodding in the direction of one of her friends.

She laughed and said, “That one in the green shirt, he’s going to kill me. I promised him he’d feel just fine…but it looks like he’s just ‘coming back’…some people have been feeling a little dizzy. But don’t worry, that’s normal.”

Luckily for the donators, PTK prepared in advance with some snacks and drinks for afterwards. They wanted to make sure everyone was feeling fine and had some food in their system before leaving the area.

Taking a look into the room of blood donors, most seemed pretty relaxed and glad to be contributing to a good cause. Lauren Shell, an NCC student, smiled for the camera as a nurse prepared her arm for the deed. All nurses on site were trained, certified professionals. Along with the nurses, several doctors came to oversee the process and make sure all went smoothly. The order of things was for each donor to review an informational packet, run their history with a nurse, do the draw and recuperate at the canteen.

Altogether the event was an accomplishment on the part of PTK and all the volunteers who gave blood. PTK organizes similar events to promote community service and leadership. A member of the organization commented that their four main pillars include “leadership, fellowship, service and scholarship.”

PTK plans to continue to serve the community and spread the word on leadership with events like movie nights, speaker, and helping out at the Cornerstone battered women’s shelter. They also want to encourage students to donate books to the Better World Books boxes located near the bookstore. The proceeds go to people in Africa, and anything helps.