Blood donors needed to replenish area shortages
   Are you looking for a place to get snacks, soda and clothes very cheap? This place does exist, but it will cost you a pint of blood. By donating blood this week, students and faculty will be given a t-shirt in appreciation along with drinks and snacks for replenishment.
Area blood banks are on campus this week looking for blood donors. These donors will help replenish the low supply striking all banks.
Tiara Harper, territory representative for The Blood Center, said all blood banks depend on LSU for help.
“Without the help of LSU and its students, we would not be able to help the patients we do,” Harper said.
There are many reasons why the public should donate blood.
“Many people do not realize that one donor can save up to three lives,” said Lana Averette, community relations representative from United Blood Services.
With any one pint of blood, there can be red blood cells, plasma and platelets taken out that can go to three different people. Another reason is only 5 percent of eligible donors donate regularly.
“If I can do something to help someone out, I will,” said Caress Olivier, a communication disorders freshman.
Blood banks normally see shortages during the summer and winter seasons because donors are out of their regular cycles. In addition, area blood banks have had to perform many transfusions, causing their supply to decrease.
In the case of Our Lady of the Lake, emergency status was reached Sunday night for type O and B blood.
“I donate because it helps people and we never know when we will need it,” said Milton Leonard, a marketing senior. “It could easily be you in need when a critical shortage occurs.”
The Blood Center is just one of the blood banks that helps Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, but representatives want donors to know that they are still helping area needs. Two poster children for the blood center have received numerous transfusions over the past year.
“There is a name and a face behind what you are doing,” said Harper. “We saw tragedy Sept. 11, but there is a tragedy going on every day in homes.”
The Blood Center, United Blood Services and OLOL hospital will be on campus until Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The blood mobile can be found at CEBA, the Union and across from the PMAC on North Stadium Rd.
Samantha Sieber