NE Campus seeks the warm blooded
by Karen Waldroup-Swetonic, reporter

     NE Campus will hold its annual blood drive Wednesday, Feb. 14.
     “One donation can save many lives,” Barbara Glenn, NE Campus nurse, said.

     In 1999, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex was short by about 23,000 units and had to import blood from other parts of the United States. Blood donations have grown, but in 1999 donations decreased, making it even more important for donations this year.

     The average female body has eight to nine pints of blood while adult men have 10 to 12 pints pulsing through their veins. It is good for a healthy body to donate blood because it stimulates the production of red blood cells, according to medical experts.

     As North Richland Hills, Bedford, Hurst and surrounding areas continue to grow so will the need for blood donations, a Carter Blood Care Center representative said.

     Benefits for the donor consist of a mini physical, which includes cholesterol testing, blood pressure check, pulse, blood typing, iron level test, and testing for HIV, HTLV, syphilis and infection of hepatitis B and C.

     Anyone who donates also becomes a member of the Life Plan and the Family Life Plan. This plan offers security to those donors when their need arises. One year after a donation, The Life Plan can defer the cost of blood transfusions for the donor and his or her dependents.

     In order to donate, individuals must meet certain guidelines. Although there is no maximum age limit, a donor must be 17 years of age, be in good health and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. Antibiotics must be completed 24 hours before donating. In addition, donors should eat a full meal within four hours before and after donating.

     Carter Blood Care representatives will be in the Student Center’s Center Corner from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.