EPCC urges students, faculty and staff to donate blood during the college blood drive, scheduled to span from February and into the first week of March.
“Instructors may be willing to offer extra credit,” said Dr. Ron Stroud, blood drive coordinator for the college.
He said that donors, who must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and have a picture ID, are given a form to show proof of donation for extra credit or as a reason for being late to class.
United Blood Services, the widely-known organization conducting the blood drive, first conducts a brief interview with the donor, along with taking vital signs, such as blood pressure, iron content and pulse. A phlebotomist then performs the procedure, followed with a short resting period to ensure the donor is feeling well.
This process typically takes about 25 to 30 minutes for whole-blood donations, according to Stroud. Some other types of donations, including plasma and red blood cells, may take longer.
The SGA provides food and beverages for donors after the donation. Donors also receive complimentary gifts and, according to Stroud, a chance to win a tattoo valued at $100 by the award-winning tattoo artist Carlo Peck.
So far EPCC has made 888 blood donations since last fall, potentially helping 2,664 people, according to a report released by the college in January. Stroud said that a donation can help as many as three people.
“El Paso Community College is the number one blood donor in this region,” said Stroud, who estimated that 150 units of blood per day are required to service hospitals in the area.
Aside from helping others, there are also personal health benefits from donating blood. According to the UBS’ website, unitedbloodservices.org, donors will learn vital information about their health, such as their cholesterol level and blood type.
“If you are in an accident or for some reason need a transfusion, you can save a lot of time if a doctor or EMS personnel knows for sure what your blood type is,” explained Stroud.
The Blood Donor Card, issued through postal mail, shows the donor ID number and blood type. By using the ID number, donors are able to see their health profile online.
The website states if the cholesterol level exceeds 300, donors will be notified by mail.
If the blood tests positive for HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV, West Nile virus, Chagas’ disease or syphilis, the donor will be notified, according to the UBS website.
For more information call Dr. Ron Stroud at 831-2614.
