American Red Cross comes to campus for blood drive
The blood drive being set up. Photo by Emmett Roman.
By Emmett Roman
Staff Reporter
The American Red Cross paid a visit to LCC on Oct. 2 in the Michigan Room located in the Gannon Building at the Downtown Campus. The blood drive took place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. with appointments encouraged for donors, but not required. For donors, they had the opportunity to not only give their blood to save someone’s life, but also to receive a $10 Amazon gift card.
Donated blood is routinely transfused for patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims. There are four different ways to be able to donate blood, each with their own specific requirements, according to the American Red Cross' website.
Whole blood donation: Whole blood donations are the blood that flows through your veins, which contains red cells, white cells, and platelets suspended in plasma. In Michigan you must be 17 in order to donate blood. However, If someone is 16, they must have a written consent form from their parents. You must be at least 110 pounds and in good health to donate whole blood.
Power Red: Power red donations are similar to whole blood donations, but a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you. Male donors must be 17 years old, 5’1” and weigh at least 130 pounds. For female donors, they must be 19 years old, 5’3” and weigh at least 150 pounds.
Platelet Donation: A platelet donation is donating the tiny cells in blood that form clots and stop bleeding. They are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries.
AB Elite Plasma Donation: Lastly, plasma-only donations are where blood is drawn from one arm and sent through a high-tech machine that collects your plasma, then returns the red cells and platelets back, along with some saline. It takes only a few minutes longer than donating blood. People with an AB blood type are ideal candidates for this type of donation. To donate plasma, donors must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
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