Student Activity Board to hold blood drive for March 10

By Sam Ward

There will be a blood drive March 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Town and Gown room.

In a phone interview, Andrew Longetrig, the communications specialist for the Oregon Trail Chapter of the American Red Cross, said, “[In able to donate], in Oregon, you have to be at least 16 years of age, in good general health and need to weigh 120 pounds.
“We’re always in a constant need of blood,” said Longetrig. “Even in the Pacific Northwest, someone needs blood every two minutes. We need to collect about five thousand pints of blood every week to serve the Pacific Northwest.”
Longetrig added blood has a shelf life of 42 days.

“One blood donation is separated into components, and can save more than one life,” said Longetrig.

Michael Clingan, an SAB representative in charge of the blood drive, said most anyone is eligible, including people who’ve had surgery, acupuncture and tattoos.
“The common misconception is [people with] tattoos can’t donate, but they can,” said Clingan.

Longetrig added that people who had tattoos in Oregon with a licensed parlor can give blood.

“If you get a tattoo outside the state of Oregon [or from an unlicensed tattoo parlor], you are not eligible to donate blood for one year,” added Longetrig.
Clingan also said there are restrictions if you have visited certain parts of the world.
“They have sit-down consultations right before you donate,” Clingan explained. “They ask questions if you’ve been to this part of [the world.]”

Longetrig said if you have gonorrhea and syphilis, you will need to wait a year after getting over it.

If you have the cold or the flu, do not come in as they will not let you donate. Also, some medications are not acceptable such as growth hormones and insulin from cows. Any sexually transmitted diseases, like HIV, prohibit you from donating.
There will be reserved parking in parking lot A.
The next blood drive will be in October.