Once again, United Blood Services will be visiting the Sugar Mill Pond campus for the annual fall blood drive. They will be here from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18. Mrs. Renard, Dean of Students, said that they will arrive in the “blood mobile” and that all donations will be done in there.

Many people are unaware of the fact that one can donate more than just blood. Donors have the option of donating whole blood, plasma, or platelets. For United Blood Services, a donor only has to stay in the chair for 10 minutes to give whole blood, but an hour for the interview, donating, and refreshments. In a whole blood donation, a single unit is taken from one arm (approximately one pint).

So what are the qualifications? The technicians will need to be presented with some form of photo identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or school ID. The volunteer must be at least 16 years old, weigh 110 pounds, and be in optimal health. For more questions, all qualifications are given as a PDF on the United Blood Services website.

There are a few tips that a donor should know before donating.

“Make sure you eat before you donate or else you will pass out,” said Senior Seema Morad.  Staying hydrated and eating a full breakfast will only help the donating process. Refreshments will be provided after to ensure safety.

Mrs. Renard, Dean of Student Life will try to donate for the first time in four years due to traveling to Honduras each year. She is not scared and hopes it goes well. At a previous time that she donated in a hospital, she “passed out at the hospital from seeing all the blood” Mrs. Renard explained. Her reason for donating this time is because she gets to help others and hasn’t been able to give in a while.

Senior Michael Dalman will be donating for the seventh time on Wednesday. He has previously donated whole blood and platelets but will give whole blood this time.

“It’s easy and helps people,” said Michael.