By: Kristy Lopez V.P. of Public Relations
Greetings everyone!
I am proud to announce that for the first time ever, I donated a pint of blood yesterday!
It was quite nerve racking at first, I must admit. But the staff was very patient and warm with all of my requests and answers. I am one of those people who just made the cut off in more than one area, and managed to make a quick, and very helpful donation.
The turn out for the event seemed very good! Everytime I walked by the commons there was some people in the lawnchairs hooked up to the machine or eating those fine snack and drink some juice.
While patiently waiting my turn to “plugged in,” I spoke to other students in the process of donating.
Two girls were very friendly and said they didn’t feel a thing, and were proud they could contribute to such a good cause (can anybody say, FELLOWSHIP!). A young man was sitting there for a very long time, so I spoke to the staff member, Kevin, who was helping our section why he was there so long, it turns out: if you’re dehydrated, your blood turns in to a syrup (rather than a water like substance), and the slower it comes out. I learned something new! Kevin answered all my curiosities about blood, donation, and health. He told me my one pint of blood could save 8 newborn babies! It was clear that SCHOLARSHIP was involved here! 
I believe LEADERSHIP goes to all our commited members that took an hour or more out of their busy lives to “recruit” donors. We informed new donors ( LIKE MYSELF!) of all the health and medical requirements and where there blood is going. I am personally SUPER excited to find out my bloody type, for I have noooo idea.
And where was the SERVICE of this event, you may ask? WELL, it was obviously in everyone who served the blood up in a plastic bag-silver platter! We are serving the people of our community to the fullest of the extent. OUR BLOOD, a part of our beings, are being GIVEN to another human being. Do you understand how close of a relationship a blood donation and service is? Sure we can indirectly help our entire community, by making it safer, cleaner, funner… but what happened at the blood drive on Tuesday, is a DIRECT service to our community – our neighbor.
We will be having another blood drive April 20 (tuesday)!!!!
If you didn’t get a chance to donate this week, you get a second chance… because everyone deserves a second chance! (Get it? our blood is helping others get a second chance? )
However, I personally am not entirely certain about how much time you must wait before donating again.
I was told 60 days by a staff member, and that is because it takes red blood cells 2 months to build up back to normal.
My sources may be different than other though, so if you are planning to donate again in April, I suggest you ask or do some of that Phi Theta Kappa scholarly research!
Thanks so much to New York Blood Center and our UCC students for giving back to their communities!
-Kristy
