Campuses seek blood donors

    TCC students, faculty and staff can help save lives by donating blood during drives on each campus.

   South and SE campuses will hold blood drives 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.

   NE and NW campuses’ drives will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13.

   “On behalf of our staff and the families whose lives have been saved in past blood drives, we are extremely grateful and humbled by the generous outpouring of the Tarrant County College community,” Winston Burkman, a Carter Blood Care representative, said in an interview.

   Burkman said most people say they do not donate blood because nobody asks them.

   Other people claim donating blood is inconvenient, or an individual may be misinformed about the medical risks.

   “You cannot get AIDS, West Nile Virus or any other disease by giving blood,” he said.

   “Many people do not give because they are unaware there is a need,” he said.

   In contrast, research shows people who give blood do so because someone needs it, it is convenient or they want to take advantage of donor benefits.

   Others donate when there is a crisis, and they are replacing blood used by a friend or relative or they are encouraged to give by someone they know.

   “Donating blood has personal benefits as well. At least 70 percent of us will need blood in our lifetime,” he said.

   “Our community desperately needs help. Each donation could potentially save four lives, and it just feels good knowing we have done our part,” he said.

   Each donor will learn his or her blood type, cholesterol level, blood pressure, pulse and temperature.

   In addition, those who donate blood also will be tested for anemia and infectious diseases, Burkman said.

   “Sometimes a donor will discover a disease in an early stage that they were unaware of, and end up saving their very own life,” he said.

   In addition to the medical information a donor receives, each donor will also be given a t-shirt, juices and cookies.

   Normally, the donation process takes 30 to 40 minutes.

   Donors may watch movies or listen to CDs while donating.

   According to Chris Snow, Carter Blood consultant, the record turnout by each campus is NE Campus, 70 donors; NW Campus, 126 donors; South Campus, 132 donors and SE Campus, 82 donors.

   “The record turnout of donors in Tarrant County College’s history, combining all four campuses is 410. We would like to break the record, and make our employees have to work overtime,” said.

   Snow said Carter Blood Care donors provide blood and platelets to patients at 200 medical facilities in North Texas.

   “Mark your calendars now, and please ask a friend to join you,” he said.

   Anyone with questions about eligibility to give blood can call Carter Blood Care at 817-412-5000,or at 1-800-DONATE-4 (1-800-366-2834).