OC hosts blood drive

Oklahoma Christian University is hosting a blood drive on Sept. 21-22 in the student center. Graphic by Abby Bellow — Oklahoma Christian University is hosting a blood drive on Sept. 21-22 in the student center. *Graphic by Abby Bellow*

On Monday and Tuesday, Oklahoma Christian University students have the opportunity to give something most have plenty of — blood.

“[The blood drive] is charitable,” Elizabeth McElroy, an organizer of the blood drive this year, said. “It doesn’t cost that much to give. It’s a thing to give that’s easy for a lot of people, but really helps people a lot. I think that fits OC’s mission.”

This year, the Oklahoma Christian nursing department will be helping with the blood drive that benefits the Oklahoma Blood Institute.

“The blood drive has been organized for longer than I’ve been an employee,” McElroy said. “For my understanding, this is a great event to support the community. We have people on campus who have benefited from the blood bank. So that’s close to our heart, and this is an important thing to help people with.”

There are some basic requirements for people who would like to donate blood.

“First, you have to be more than 100 pounds,” Ashley Ramos, a junior nursing student, said. “You should not have any previous cancer or major health disease like AIDS, STDs, or HIV.”

Tattoos can also be problematic. If a student has a tattoo they may still give blood, but there are some qualifications.

“You may have a tattoo,” Ramos said. “But you also have to let it wait for a whole year or more before donating blood, and your tattoo artist has to be registered within the system in order for you to donate.”

People who recently have visited another country may not qualify for donating their blood.

“During the process of giving blood there is a survey you have to fill out,” Ramos said. “It will display which countries you have visited. After you finish that survey, you will know if you could donate your blood or not.”

If you meet the qualifications you may go to the blood drive to donate blood.

According to Ramos, it is important to remained relaxed while giving blood.

“When first giving blood,” Ramos said. “You want to be hydrated, and drink a bottle of water as well as a snack.”

The process of giving blood takes approximately 15-20 minutes. It begins with filling out a questionnaire, and then people can start donating blood. Donors also receive a free T-shirt.

The blood drive is on Sept. 21-22 and is in the student center, near the Student Government Association office and the grill.