A campus blood drive is schedule for Oct. 28-31.
By Cassandra M. Rodriguez
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Students at this college helped donate 93 units of blood to the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center during the first blood drive of the semester.
The center depends on donors to help them carry enough supply to serve the needs throughout the community and the 67 hospitals it supplies.
The center does not have a daily quota to meet for donations, but they do have a goal of 128 units for the next blood drive on campus.
Another blood drive is scheduled Oct. 28-31 at this college. Students can donate between 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Donors will receive a T-shirt, physical, a snack and drink.
Donors also will be entered in a chance to win one of three Family Four packs to Fiesta Texas, which includes the current and next season free admission and parking. Included is a Gold Pass, allowing 15 minutes early admission and a coupon to bring a guest.
Banish the thought that a donation will not make a difference, because “75 percent of blood collected goes to patients with ongoing treatments such as chemotherapy,” said Eric Maldonado, corporate communications specialist for the center.
Donations also go to patients for organ or tissue transplant and trauma victims, he said.
The center honored San Antonio resident and outstanding donor Marcos Perez III for achieving a blood donation milestone.
Perez reached the 80-gallon mark over 27 years of helping to save lives. Perez was awarded a plaque and celebrated with a party at the center to show appreciation.
Prospective donors have to be 16 and need to weigh at least 120 pounds and have parental consent to donate.
Those aged 17 and up need to weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. All donors should be in good general health, show a valid form of identification and eat a good meal before donating.
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center urges those who think they cannot donate to let the medical staff make the determination. Those afflicted with diabetes or high cholesterol may still be able to donate.
For more information, call the office of student life at 210-486-0125 or go to Room 250 of Loftin Student Center.