According to the American Red Cross, someone needs a blood transfusion EVERY 2 SECONDS. This is why it is so important to donate blood.
Throughout the year, I have always felt guilty about not donating blood especially with all the blood drives happening all over campus. I always had an excuse – I may have been drowsy because of lack of sleep or have an upcoming exam/event/activity.
So, when our church helped organize a summer blood drive, I jumped at the chance – even asking one of my friends to join me. No excuses this time. Spent the Saturday night at home to sleep early and not have a single drop of alcohol in my system. Even went over the website to see what I can and can’t do.
Turns out I did not read the eligibility requirements well enough. I was surprised that the information materials provided at the site always mentions European countries as regions that blood donors should not have been to recently. That list was definitely not complete. You can’t be in an area where malaria is found. Since the Philippines is one of those areas, I am not eligible to donate until after three years of not going home. I do not know if I would ever stay away from home for three years so I do not know if I could ever donate (in the US at least).
So, I decided to encourage others (you reading this) to donate.
The Ohio State University and the local American Red Cross partner will have their yearly special blood drive at the Jerome Schottenstein Center to “Give Someone a Schott at Life” on August 9 from 7 am to 7 pm. Sign up at BloodSavesLives.org (sponsor code: Buckeyes) or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
If saving lives weren’t enough, everyone who donates blood at the event will receive a free Cedar Point ticket and be entered to win up to $1,000 in free gas from Marathon®, as well as treats from Panera Bread and Raising Cane’s.
Sign up now!
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For blood donor eligibility requirements, click here.
