Halloween is just around the corner and vampires aren’t the only ones out for your blood. Portland State now has its own chapter of the largest charitable organization in the world, and as their first official action, the PSU Red Cross Student Group will be running a blood donation drive October 14-18 in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom.
The blood drive itself isn’t new—there have been blood drives held at PSU once a term for years—but having the event run by the club will allow members an opportunity to learn how to organize large events that will actually impact lives.
The club’s assistance in coordinating the volunteer effort has already been felt in the planning stages of what hopes to be a smooth, successful drive.
“[W]e rely on volunteers, and having the club has really solidified the volunteers for the event,” Nate Saunders, Donor Recruitment Representative for the American Red Cross, said.
The event has grown dramatically; the PSU drive is the second largest donation site in Portland, second only to the Red Cross itself. What began as a one-day event last October has grown into the five-day format that will be used this year.
Blood inventory levels are generally low near the end of summer, as such a large percentage of donations come from colleges and high schools.
“[There are] consistent donors from faculty and staff, which is wonderful to see,” Gwyn Ashcom, Health Educator at the Center for Student Health and Counseling, said.
With goals of collecting 125-175 units of blood per day, the drive could meet or exceed the numbers it set last fall when 751 total units were successfully collected.
What sounds like a tremendous amount turns out to be the proverbial drop in the bucket. Portland metropolitan area hospitals go through approximately 5000 units of blood per week. If PSU brings in 750 units four times a year as the second largest donation site in the city, that still leaves “a huge number that we have to fill,” says Ben Thomas, one of the founders of the campus PSRCSG.
Saunders from the Red Cross stresses that with numbers like those listed above, all blood types are in high demand. However, those who have certain blood types and wish to do as much as possible to help make up this shortage should inquire about giving a double red cell donation. This type of donation allows for the extraction of two units of red blood cells from the blood platelets, plasma, and white blood cells, which are then returned to the donor along with saline. Some donors report feeling far better after a double red cell procedure, as opposed to a regular donation, because of the liquid that is returned to the body.
There will be juice to get everyone hydrated and back on their feet, and Thomas says that there are always various promotional giveaways and food from area restaurants to thank volunteers for participating.
Drop-in donors are welcome, but registering in advance will help the organizers best direct the efforts of the volunteers.
In addition to organizing the blood drive once a term, the PSRCSG is looking forward to getting involved with other aspects of community relief. Examining and strengthening existing disaster relief systems or putting on a fundraising 5k run are ideas that have been discussed. PSRCSG is looking for additional members who want to be involved in charitable works, but are most importantly looking for students to give blood.
The Portland State Blood Drive will take place October 14–18 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the SMSU Ballroom. Go to redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767 to sign up for a donation time. For more information about the PSRCSG, email Ben Thomas at [email protected]
