Bethel to host blood drive

On Thurs., Dec. 2 Bethel will be hosting this year’s second blood drive through American Red Cross in the Goodman Gymnasium from 10:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. “One blood donation has the potential to help save up to three lives,” said sophomore Danielle Reilly, a student who was asked to help run the event. “That is because blood can be broken down into its different components to help different patients. Red cells typically help trauma victims, plasma can help burn victims and platelets help patients undergoing chemotherapy or cancer treatment. More than one million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily.” At the blood drive earlier this year 145 students and faculty donated blood but only 125 units were collected which surpassed their goal of 120 units. Reilly is hoping to collect even more this time around. “Students and staff should come out to give because it is a great opportunity to help people in a positive way,” said Reilly. “In the Indiana-Ohio Region alone, 500 units of blood are needed each day to support the needs of hospital patients and trauma victims. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day, and one out of every 10 people admitted in a hospital needs blood. Every bit helps in a tremendous way.” To donate it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour, which Reilly said is really fast considering you are saving three lives. “To schedule your blood donation appointment, please call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ and enter the sponsor code “pilots,” said Reilly. “You can also talk to Jon Rogers or myself (Danie Reilly) and we would be glad to help you get signed up. Appointments are strongly encouraged to help the drive run smooth, but walk-ins are more than welcome.”