By Malaina Phebus
On Monday, April 6, GRCC’s Biomed Club is hosting a community blood drive in the Student Activities Office, Room 124. The blood drive will go from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving students lots of time to stop by.
For the event, the Biomed Club is partnering with a local organization, Versiti, which collects blood for hospitals in Kent County. The team drawing blood is all certified, and the president of the Biomed club, Dylan White, is a paramedic himself, ensuring the safety of students.
In an interview, White emphasized the urgent need for blood donations, explaining that patients lacking key blood components face life-threatening risks. “Without donations, these people do not receive blood,” he said. “So in simple terms, donating blood is good because it can literally save lives.”
While there are some restrictions, the majority of people are able to donate. Restrictions include individuals who are under 18 years of age and those under 120 lbs. In order to ensure participants are eligible, tests and screenings will be conducted. If there are more questions about eligibility, students are asked to call 866-642-5663.
The best way to prepare for this event is to reserve a spot by filling out the sign-up form or calling 866-MI-BLOOD. But walk-ins are still welcome if they can fit you in. The team recommends drinking lots of fluids and eating a healthy meal before giving blood.
White addresses a common fear that keeps many students from donating, reassuring them: “Students should not be worried about passing out.” He explains the science behind his confidence, stating how “the loss of consciousness associated with blood draws is often associated with what is called a vagal response, which is essentially an overactivation of the ‘rest and digest’ section of your nervous system. This self-corrects after a couple of minutes, and many of the symptoms are resolved just by lying flat.”
Since Versiti doesn’t use the blood for research, there are no paid incentives for donating. However, a much more valuable incentive is given: being able to give hope to someone in need and taking care of your community. Plus, all attempting donors will receive a cozy pair of flannel pants while supplies last.
When asked about how else to contribute to the cause, White simply replied, “the best way to contribute is to spread the word and get people to sign up.” So spread the word, Raiders—and we’ll see you there.
