NDA sponsored American Red Cross Blood Drives
American Red Cross Blood Services
Badger-Hawkeye Region
2008-2009 NDA Sponsored Blood Drives:
(To Be Determined)
Listed below are common questions and answers for those inquiring about giving blood.
Who is eligible to give blood?
All healthy people who are at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood. Because local and national blood needs are continuing to increase, blood donors are encouraged to give as often as possible. Healthy donors may give every 56 days; six times a year.
Only five to seven percent of those eligible actually give blood. Yet statistics show that 95% of individuals who reach the age of 72 will need a blood transfusion or blood product during their lifetime. The Red Cross believes that Americans have a right to a blood transfusion to save their lives. In return, Americans have a responsibility to support the blood supply by donating blood, sponsoring a blood drive or serving as a volunteer.
Where are the blood drives held at NDA?
The 3 blood drives held at Notre Dame are found in the old gymnasium. Walk-ins are always welcome.
What is the difference between a plasma center and a
The Red Cross Blood Center is a not-for-profit agency that has been asked by the medical community to provide a critical service that will benefit all citizens. A plasma center is a for-profit business that exists only as long as it can make money by providing a specific commodity.
Where will my blood be used and where will my plasma be used?
Your blood donation through the Red Cross will be distributed to hospitals in this country where there are patients who need blood to live. Plasma collected at plasma centers is usually sold to for-profit businesses that will convert it to products that are sold world-wide for the highest price.
Why should I donate blood through the Red Cross?
For the sake of our families, our friends and strangers in need throughout the country, we must share blood resources. To do so, we need more blood donors. We also need all donors to donate more often than once a year. If half the people who donate one time a year were to donate a second time, we would not have shortages of blood. To find out where you can give blood close to you (if you are not able to attend NDA's drives) call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
Why are people deferred from giving blood if they have had tattoos or body piercing?
When a person receives a tattoo or has an ear or body part pierced, there is an opportunity to come into contact with someone else's blood. This puts the recipient of the tattoo or piercing at risk of contracting a transmissible disease. For this reason, both FDA and the American Red Cross regulations require deferral of their blood donation for 12 months following the incident.
Why are you so careful about determining who can give blood?
Americans have the right to the safest possible blood transfusion or blood products to save their lives. As stewards of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross is dedicated to providing the safest, most reliable and most cost-effective blood products possible. To protect the well-being of patients who need blood, we must take every precaution to minimize the risk of disease transmission. Sometimes we must defer people who are not able to meet the demanding health requirements to be a blood donor, even though they are not physically ill. They may then choose to help in other ways, such as becoming a volunteer, organizing a blood drive or recruiting other blood donors.
I am on a sports team. My coach says I can't give blood. Is that true?
No, you can give blood safely, just like anyone else in good health. Avoid heavy muscular or strenuous activity for at least 4 to 5 hours after giving blood. If you are scheduled to compete the day of the blood drive, don't give blood. If you must practice after donating, take it easy.
I've felt sick all week. Can I still give blood?
No. If you don't feel well, for any reason, don't give blood. If you have a cold, the flu, cramps or even a headache, you should not give blood.
Basic Information regarding giving blood.
It's a good idea to drink plenty of fluids and eat a meal within four hours before giving blood. These are the most important things you can do to ensure that you have a good donation experience.
Please bring your social security number to the blood drive.
Soon after your first blood donation, the American Red Cross will send you a donor card with your blood type on it.
Out of every 100 blood donors…
38 are O positive 7 are A negative
32 are A positive 3 are AB positive
9 are B positive 2 are B-
34 are A+ 3 are
6 are A- 1 is
About 12.6 million units of whole blood are donated in the
Every unit of blood can be separated into several components, potentially saving the lives of three or more patients.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a complex iron-rich protein that carries oxygen throughout the body and gives blood its red color. There about on billion red blood cells in two or three drops of blood.
White blood cells are responsible for protecting the body from invasion by foreign substances such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. In the blood stream, there is only one white blood cell for every 600 red cells.
Blood donors give a pint of blood per donation; the average person has 10-12 pints.
The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O. It is also the most common blood group in the
Because of extensive blood testing and donor screening, the nation's blood supply is safer today than ever before.
Your blood donation may help a young cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy, an accident victim, someone with hemophilia, or someone having surgery.
It takes about one hour to complete the blood donation process, from the time you register to the time you enjoy refreshments. The actual donation of your unit of blood takes about 8 minutes.
