2008 Woodie Awards
Stevens hosts fall blood drive
Sheeraz Hyder
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: Campus News
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In the two seconds it took you to read the headline, someone in America desperately needed a blood transfusion. On September 13, Stevens Institute of Technology did their part by hosting their fall blood drive. Stevens hosts a blood drive every 56 days, which is the minimum time the Red Cross states is safe for a donor to donate again. Greek organizations Alpha Sigma Phi, Theta Xi, Sigma Nu and Phi Sigma Sigma along with the Stevens Health Professions Club organized the school-wide blood drive. The American Red Cross estimated that about 100 people each donated a pint. With each donor up to three lives are saved which suggests that on Wednesday up to 300 lives were saved.
Not everyone who showed up to donate was able to do so. The American Red Cross disqualifies certain people from donating because of pre-existing medical conditions or other safety issues. For example, the American Red Cross does not accept blood from donors who have lived in or traveled to countries where diseases such as tuberculosis are widespread. Michael Lutkenhouse '08, helped coordinate the blood drive, who serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Stute, said "If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the blood drive, please don't just keep them to yourself. Help us save more lives by improving the quality of our blood drive by email to mlutkenh@stevens.edu".
Stevens Institute of Technology is part of the New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania region of the Red Cross. Chris La Pilusa, who is O-positive, and thus is considered a semi-universal donor, said "If because of my blood type I can help a lot of people, then I figured I should take advantage of it." Because of his blood type, La Pilusa was actually able to give a double-donation through a process that diffuses the red blood cells through a centrifuge and in the end gives double the usual amount of red blood cells than a typical donor. In response to the growing need for blood, Red Cross increased donations by 10% last year. However, local chapters were only able to donate 70% of the total. The region plans to increase donations by 100,000 over the next three years since the need for blood will grow as the age of the U.S. population increases. Alpha Sigma Phi anticipates holding another blood drive around early November after the 56-day safety window has passed.
Not everyone who showed up to donate was able to do so. The American Red Cross disqualifies certain people from donating because of pre-existing medical conditions or other safety issues. For example, the American Red Cross does not accept blood from donors who have lived in or traveled to countries where diseases such as tuberculosis are widespread. Michael Lutkenhouse '08, helped coordinate the blood drive, who serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Stute, said "If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the blood drive, please don't just keep them to yourself. Help us save more lives by improving the quality of our blood drive by email to mlutkenh@stevens.edu".
Stevens Institute of Technology is part of the New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania region of the Red Cross. Chris La Pilusa, who is O-positive, and thus is considered a semi-universal donor, said "If because of my blood type I can help a lot of people, then I figured I should take advantage of it." Because of his blood type, La Pilusa was actually able to give a double-donation through a process that diffuses the red blood cells through a centrifuge and in the end gives double the usual amount of red blood cells than a typical donor. In response to the growing need for blood, Red Cross increased donations by 10% last year. However, local chapters were only able to donate 70% of the total. The region plans to increase donations by 100,000 over the next three years since the need for blood will grow as the age of the U.S. population increases. Alpha Sigma Phi anticipates holding another blood drive around early November after the 56-day safety window has passed.