CBD Beats Goal for 12 Hour Blood Drive
CBD College’s November 12 Hour Blood Drive
On Thursday, November 30th, 2017, CBD College hosted their 2nd 12 Hour Blood Drive in partnership with the American Red Cross (ARC). Students, faculty, staff, and family visited the Auditorium and gave blood. ARC uses blood from these drives for transfusions, platelets, and patients who do not have enough blood to spare. This time, CBD College set out to beat their goal of donating 40 pints of blood.
Who Can Give?
An appointment sign-up sheet circulated the school inviting anyone to pick a time-slot best for them. ARC ensures the safety of blood donation for both donors and recipients by requiring an evaluation for all volunteer blood donors. The final determination is made on the day of the blood drive. If someone was deferred from donating in the past, they may be able to donate again. In general, donors must be over the age of 17, healthy, and over 110 lbs.
After health history and mini physicals are complete, about a pint of blood was collected from each donor. When processing and testing are done, the American Red Cross 
distributes and ships donations to hospitals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Since processed and tested red cell donations only last 42 days, platelets 5 days, and plasma up to a year, it is important for those who can donate to give what they can, especially since the healthy human body can regenerate blood so quickly.
Why Now?
Right now, blood comes in slower than the rate of distribution. Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured, so ARC depends on volunteers. However, less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets, including the 7% of Americans who have the universal blood type – O negative.
Did CBD College Beat Their Goal?
Not only did they meet their goal, CBD College exceeded it! Altogether, CBD College donated 42 pints of blood! That’s up to 123 lives! Stay tuned for a chance to roll up your sleeves and donate! CBD’s next 12 hour blood drive begins at 8 AM, January 18th. To learn more about the donating process, visit www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood. You can also download the app and create your own profile!
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