Donate your blood!

By Kevin Gebraski- Courier Staff

             Greek Week and S.O.S. will be sponsoring a Blood Drive on Apr. 10. Tammy Welninski (Greek Week), Kevin Gebraski, Robin Balkcom (S.O.S.), and Ken Morris are taking charge of the Blood Drive. Red Cross representative Renee Allen has been involved in overseeing the event.

            Monmouth College hopes to get at least 100 units of blood donated in order to equal Knox. The added bonus to donating blood is that donors will receive a free Blood Donation T-shirt.

            For those who have never given blood before, it is strongly suggested because it is a great service to do. With the current war in Iraq, some of our soldiers will need blood and it is our duty as a nation to help reimburse the country’s supply.

            If one wishes to donate blood, there are a few guidelines to pass: it must be at least one year after getting a tattoo or piercing, and people cannot donate if they are sick.

            Other guidelines and restrictions can be found at www.redcross.org. On the website, there is a list of foods people can eat to maintain  health. If a possible donor’s blood is low in iron then the blood may be rejected or the person donating may feel light headed. By eating the proper foods and keeping properly hydrated, people can avoid  becoming ill.

             Those who are interested can look on the website for more information on foods rich in iron: cooked clams, tofu, raisin bran, cooked sirloin steak, cooked shrimp, boiled black beans, canned chickpeas, turkey breast, whole wheat bread, skinless chicken breast, hamburger, and spinach.

            The benefits to donating blood strongly outweigh the risks; feeling dizzy can be overcome by eating the proper foods. Some people may feel slight bruising. It is nothing to worry about. Bruising is normal and will eventually go away. Those who are afraid of needles, look away and know that blood donation is something beneficial for society. Besides,  donors get a free T-shirt.

Senior Devon Townsend donates blood during the blood drive this past fall. File Photo.