The Office of Community Engagement and Service at GCSU held a blood drive February 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Donahoo Lounge. This was in response to the current blood shortage in Georgia affected by the recent winter storms and unsafe travel conditions.
The American Red Cross is currently facing a severe shortage of blood products by 35%. Inclement weather over the past month has prevented 400 blood drives from happening and thousands of donations from being collected. In response, officials have urged healthy individuals to donate so patients can receive life-saving care.
Students were able schedule an appointment using the link on the “Front Page” under the Events tab on the GCSU website. Those who assisted with tabling, canteen or check-in visited the GCSU Give Pulse website. In reward for their contributions, donors received a $20 e-gift card and a coupon for Sonic.
Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences Al Mead shared his thoughts and donation experiences. As a long-time donor, Professor Mead believes donating is an important contribution to the community.
“Well, to start off with, [the shortage] is a terrible thing. We need dedicated donors,” Mead said.
The gap in blood donors remains an ongoing issue in healthcare. Some blood types, however, give certain donors a wider range of patient demographics.
“I always do [encourage donations] through my lectures, but I also tell [students] that it is not for everyone,” Mead said. “Sometimes they check your blood and find out you are CMV negative and able to give your blood to babies.”
CMV [cytomegalovirus] is a common flu-like virus that up to 85% of adults have been exposed to by age 40, with most experiencing mild or no symptoms. O-negative and O-positive donors are CMV-negative and are known as Heroes for Babies at the Red Cross. Their blood is the safest for newborns & premature babies whose immune systems are more fragile.
Giving blood can be a new experience for those who do not know what to expect in the procedure. New donors can rest assured it is a thorough process with multiple steps to ensure the donor is suitable.
“I have never given blood before, so I felt like it would be a quick process,” said Tori Segal, a junior mass communications major. “In reality, you have to answer a lot of questions before they take your blood pressure.”
Giving blood can be uncomfortable at first, but the pain felt from the needle is only temporary. A small pinch of the needle can provide life saving blood for someone in a health crisis.
Raising awareness about the blood shortage not only saves lives, but it gives students the opportunity to donate toward a good cause. By giving blood in a local blood drive, students help patients in their own community.
“I think the main misconception is that it hurts,” Mead said. “All that it is, is a little prick.”
Giving blood, whether it be at a doctor’s office or a national blood drive, connects people to a vast network of patients in need across diverse communities and demographics. Those who are interested can visit the American Red Cross website or GCSU front page news to learn more about the donation process, eligibility requirements, upcoming drives and other resources. Ultimately, the choice to donate blood depends on the individual and their medical history, schedule and accessibility.