Today, March 1, was the first day of American River College’s annual two day Blood Drive. The event will continue tomorrow, March 2, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
There are two stations, one near the parking structure and the portables, and the other near the Student Center and science building.
There are a few qualifications that must be met in order to donate.
A prospective donor must bring a valid form of identification, be 17 years or older, weigh over 110 pounds and can not have any flu-like symptoms for at least 48 hours.
The BloodSource trucks can hold up to four donors at a time.
Once inside the truck, the nurses ask a series of questions to make sure it is safe for the donor to give blood.
The nurses then take a blood sample to make sure iron levels are adequate, or else the donor cannot donate.
The whole process takes about 40 to 45 minutes once inside the donor truck.
After donating, there are snacks and water provided for donors to help get their blood sugar levels back on track.
Paul Bacchi, a third year volunteer working at the station near the Student Center, said to “drink plenty of liquids and no strenuous exercise for 24 hours.”
If deemed not eligible to donate blood, then donors can find a local BloodSource.
The closest one is in Fair Oaks, California.
BloodSource will take whole blood, white blood cells and plasma, and needs volunteers who want to help out and encourages money donations.
Simran Kaur, a second year ARC student and Biology major, believes that giving blood is the only thing a student can really do at a young age to help someone out.
“I feel like it’s one way to start helping people to accomplish what we do in our dream jobs (in the medical field),” Kaur said.
Shawna Milanowski, an on-and-off student at American River College since 2000, said “I’ve actually had to have blood transfusions before, so it’s my way of giving back.”
