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F R I DAY, AUG . 27 to S U N DAY, AUG . 29, 2 010
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Volu me 105 Issue 14
UH community has opportunity to save lives JANE CALLAHAN Associate News Editor
Every time the Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi (BBH) comes to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus, students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to save three lives each on their way to class or work. Organized between BBH and the university’s Health Promotion Offi ce, the event provides a chance to help others. Tuesday, Aug. 10, was one of the many times the BBH comes to UHM to collect blood from volunteers, and the nurses were not disappointed. “We come here often and have a good turnout every time,” said Zoe Nguyen, the team leader for the BBH collection. “Only 2 percent of the population donates blood,” Nguyen added, “so this is very helpful.” UH students account for 6.2 percent of total donations on the island. While the summer saw fewer students on campus, 35 donors gave blood on Aug. 10. That is about as much as the bus-cumclinic and supplies can handle, but when beds are set up in places like the Executive Dining Room, BBH sees over 60 donations on the days they come to campus. Student Jeremy Suarez fi rst heard about blood drives a few years ago, when BBH recruiters came into his Kalani High School classroom. A blood transfusion once saved his twin brother’s life, but Suarez does it “just to do a good thing.” He said, “Do it. You never know who you’ll help.” Junior Iris Pangilinan was back for her second donation, with her brother in tow for his fi rst. Her reason for donating was “because it’s a way of giving back.” The majority of donors have participated in blood donation
A woman is prepped for blood donation at Campus Center. Ka Leo file photo. KA LEO FILE PHOTO
before. Christine Banziger, a library science major, donated for her fi fth time. “It’s my service to the community. Everyone should give something back, and this is one way to do it,” she said. Nguyen had some advice for those thinking about donating but are fearful of the needles or the process. She suggested thinking about the bigger picture “Try to think about the pain the patient in the hospital is going through in comparison to some temporary discomfort,” she said. Nguy-
en encourages hesitant students to “give it one try. If (you) don’t like it, then you never have to do it again.” Other donors came because they had no reason not to donate. UHM staff member Gary Kabazawa has donated twice before and came to this particular drive because he got a call from BBH. “They call me periodically, so I say, ‘why not?’” The next chance to donate will be on Tuesday, Aug. 31, in the Campus Center Executive Dining Room from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
T H E P RO C E S S The whole process takes roughly an hour from start to fi nish. Before donation, volunteers are given a pamphlet outlining the requirements and restrictions that include no travel to a list of third-world countries in Asia, Africa and South America. Other rules include a weight requirement of 110 pounds or more, no previous use of intravenous drugs, no tattoos or piercings in the last year, and no residence in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996.
While there is a list of restrictions, there are also exceptions to the rule. “If you are a vegetarian, but you lived in the United Kingdom during those cited years, then you are not at risk for Mad Cow Disease,” said Nguyen. Specifi cations about requirements are discussed during a brief interview, in which your suitability is determined. With the pamphlet comes basic paperwork followed by time in See Blood drive, page 3