If you have an hour to spare, you could save three lives.
Volunteer ETSU, along with The American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive Feb. 7 and 8 in the D.P. Culp Center Ballroom on the third floor.
According to the American Red Cross web site, every 2 seconds someone in the United States is in need of a blood donation and only 5 percent of eligible U.S. citizens take the time to donate.
“I wish everyone would donate,” said Jen Oliver, president of VETSU. “It’s only an hour for a donor and it could mean a lifetime for the recipient.”
The donation process includes a short physical for the donor and a finger prick to determine eligibility. After approval, the actual donation takes about 15 minutes.
Typically, a pint is taken and it can save up to three lives. Before being allowed to leave, the donor must sit for half an hour to make sure they are not light-headed and are recovering properly.
General guidelines on the ARC web site include the donor must be at least 17 years old, healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past 56 days.
Before donating, it is recommended that the donor get a good night’s sleep, drink extra fluids to replace the volume that will be donated and eat iron-rich foods such as red meat, beans or fish.
After donating, avoid heavy physical activity, lie down with feet elevated and drink plenty of fluids.
Type O blood, often called the universal donor, is needed the most because of its ability to be received by any blood type, but every donation is important.
Donations will be accepted from 1:30 to 6 on Monday and 12 to 5 on Tuesday.
For more information, contact VETSU at 439-4254 or visit the Red Cross web site at www.redcross.org.

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