Donors feel the pain

The Red Cross feels the gain

Kate Neuhaus

Blood is everywhere; people are cringing in terror; needles stab left and right: a general air of fear can be felt throughout the halls of Marian.

Massacre at Marian? Nope. Just the friendly Red Cross Bloodmobile paying a visit.

Nov. 4 was a day when many Marian students had to face their fear of needles at the Marian-sponsored blood drive. Student Board teamed together with the American Red Cross to organize the biannual event, which was met with an enthusiastic response from the Marian community. There were 38 donors from Marian.

“Girls are very eager to sign up,” said Student Board vice-president and co-chair of the drive, senior Lindsey Broekemeier. “Even though some get sick or are unable to donate on the actual day, the thought is still there.”

Girls were asked to sign up for time-slots during which they would be asked to roll up their sleeves. After reading the exceptions for donors, it was time to board the bus. Small cubicles within the Bloodmobile were used to question donors and find out if there were any medical problems that would contaminate the blood or make the donor an undesirable candidate. The Red Cross staff also checks each individual’s iron-count. If the iron-count is too low, the donor is, unfortunately, turned away.

Now that the questions were answered and the iron clear, it was time for donors to lie down and face the music. The sterile, airplane-scented, needle music of the Bloodmobile, that is. For some Marian students, this was quite a challenge.

“I almost backed down,“ admitted senior Mary Hinrichs, “but I just didn’t look at the needle and made it through all right.”

For most, however, giving blood was a worthwhile experience. “I give blood to help people; I figure if I have it, I don’t need it,” said senior Abby Vandenberg.

The Red Cross greatly appreciates the support and blood collected from Bloodmobile visits. They will continue to ask Marian students and faculty for their support and of course, their blood. The Bloodmobile will be making another visit to Marian on April 29, so roll up your sleeves and bear the pain for a good cause.