Do You Know Your Blood Type?	«« back
	by P. J. Edison (staff writer)	April 2009

Do you know your blood type? Do you know your HDL cholesterol count? Well if you don’t you can find out at the June Whitley Student Center on the CSN-Cheyenne campus. Once a month, technicians at United Blood Services test and type the blood of anyone who is willing and eligible to donate.

In addition to learning about your blood, you save lives by helping our community maintain an adequate blood supply. According to United Blood Services’ website, about 60 percent of us will need to receive donated blood at some point in our lives, due to accident or illness.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, United Blood Services provides blood to all of Las Vegas and parts of Arizona. Most of that precious resource comes from our classmates— and us. According to Cassandra Webster, administrative assistant at the Department of Student Life and Leadership Development, students at CSN and local high schools provide 65 percent of all blood given to the local chapters of United Blood Services. Yes, that’s 65 percent.

Although the medical community needs as many donors as it can get, not everyone can give blood. At every blood drive, phlebotomists screen donated blood for signs of debilitating diseases: hepatitis, syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), Chagas disease, and others.

The process for donating blood takes about an hour. The screening process is like having a mini physical exam. You provide your photo ID, a donor card, and some medical history. United Blood Services literature says that the technicians want you to be completely honest about your health and medical history, and they will keep confidential any information that may disqualify you as a donor.

You must be 16 years of age or older, and weigh at least 110 pounds. I you have had a blood transfusion in the past 12 months of if you have traded sex for money or drugs since 1977, a technician will check your blood pressure and your iron. The phlebotomist uses a clean, one-time-use needle for each donor.

After the technician draws your blood, you receive several goodies: water, cranberry juice, a cookie, show tickets for two, and a t-shirt. To avoid the lightheaded feeling that some people get after donating, take at least 15 minutes to enjoy the food and drink. Take in plenty of fluids. Do not stand up, lean over, or straighten up suddenly. If you need to use the restroom or climb stairs immediately after donating blood, have an acquaintance or friend walk with you.

The next blood drive will take place Monday, April 27, in the June Whitley Student Center from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The next time someone asks what your blood type is, you’ll know—but only if you donate blood.

For more information, please contact:
• Michele Smith, Director of
Donor Relations, United Blood
Services, 677-7787
• Cassandra Webster, Administrative
Assistant, Student Life and
Development, 651-40

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