 Volunteers and members involved in the Blood Drive Committee paint the tunnel under Rivers Street to encourage students to participate in today’s Homecoming Blood Drive. Photo special to The Appalachian from Kate Johnson |
by EMILY MELTON
News Reporter
Today, Appalachian State University may make history.
Those who step inside the Holmes C. Convocation Center today between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. will be greeted by blood donors, American Red Cross Volunteers and students.
Appalachian’s second annual homecoming blood drive, sponsored by the Red Cross and Appalachian and Community Together, is expected to be the largest student-run drive in the state.
“Over 1,000 donors
are expected for the event,” Kate A. Johnson, assistant director of the
ACT volunteer program and coordinator of the drive said.
Johnson said walk-in donors are welcome, but only if someone who is registered does not show up.
However, they are encouraged to try to donate.
“We’re definitely trying to get as many pints as we can,” Johnson said.
Volunteers for the drive are still needed, and will be used even if they have not signed up for an allotted two-hour time slot.
Paul T. Nickens, senior technical photography major is a first time donor.
“It took me a while to sign up to give blood,” he said. “I was worried about a tattoo I just got.”
Nickens said he looks forward to donating.
“I’m
giving blood because there’s always people who need it,” Nickens said.
“It’s also a good way to help out and become involved with the
community.”
He said he hopes other people will donate blood as well.
“I’m
kind of nervous because I’ve never done it before. But even though I
don’t know what to expect, I don’t have a problem with needles,” he
said.
Nickens hopes to continue to donate blood if his experience goes well.
According
to the American Red Cross, donors must wait 12 months after getting a
tattoo if it was applied in a state that does not regulate tattoo
facilities.
However,
it is acceptable if the tattoo was applied by a state-regulated entity
using sterile needles and ink that is not reused.
North Carolina regulates its facilities.
“To give
blood [to] the American Red Cross, you must be healthy, at least 17
years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the
last eight weeks or [donated] double red cells in the last 16 weeks,”
Kelsey D. Smith, senior psychology major said.
Smith is a volunteer coordinator and homecoming liaison for the blood drive.
Smith defines “healthy” as “feeling well and [being able to] perform normal activities,” she said.
“If you
have a chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure,
‘healthy’ also means that you are being treated and the condition is
under control,” Smith said.
Students are reminded to bring a photo ID to the blood drive.
A driver’s license or AppCard is acceptable.
Students are also encouraged to arrive at the convocation center on time and to walk if possible, as parking is limited.
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