Blood bank in Cleveland seeks donations
All photos by Taylor Baker.
Blood Assurance, a local blood bank, is seeking blood donations to help save lives. The bank — located a few miles from campus — visits Lee throughout the year with their blood drive van, providing easy access for students to donate.
“Blood Assurance here in Cleveland gets an average of about 15 to 25 donors per day,” said Blood Assurance employee Faye Simcox. “This is combined between our mobile van and main donation center. We are always reaching out to the community for donations.”
Before donating blood, it is important to consider health effects, as a pint of blood is removed from the body. Associate Lecturer of Health Science Pamela Hobbs explains the factors that affect a person’s ability to donate.
“There are some adverse effects that donating can have,” said Hobbs. “Fatigue, nausea, fainting and vomiting. However, every time you give blood, your heart rate, blood pressure and hemoglobin are checked so you would find out if you had a problem with any of these,” Hobbs said. “In addition, they check your iron levels and if you are too low, you would not be able to give.”
With a close-range to campus, Lee students have taken part in donating to Blood Assurance. Senior anthropology major Mara Busch recalled her experience donating blood for the first time.
“I had never given blood before, but I had always wanted to,” said Busch. “When Dr. West offered extra credit to those who donated, I decided it was a perfect opportunity. The ladies at the donation van were all very nice, and I got a free snack after,” Busch said. “A win-win really!”
For those interested in donating, proper care must be taken prior to ensure a successful and easy donation.
“It is important to drink plenty of water and eat within four hours of coming,” Simcox said. “This will lessen the chance of nausea or passing out.”
For every one person that donates, three lives are saved in exchange. Those who give have the satisfaction of helping others, and those who receive donations are given a better chance at a healthier life.
“There is a wonderful positive psychological benefit in knowing you are helping others,” said Hobbs. “As people who are Christ-centered, we have a long history of benevolence and compassion. Giving blood is a wonderful way for us to demonstrate these two traits.”
For more information about how to donate, visit the Blood Assurance website.
