The annual spring blood drive gives students a chance to give back to the community, and 554 units of blood were donated during the three-day event. This year also marked the 30th year for the American Red Cross to hold blood drives at UW-Platteville. In celebration of the anniversary, the Residence Hall Association gave away 30 gift cards valued at $30.

Photograph by Brady Terry
RHA and the American Red Cross hold a blood drive during fall and spring semesters each academic year. This year marked the 30th year that drives have been held at UW-P.

This year also marked the first year donors could make appointments online at givebloodgivelife.org. By making appointments online ahead of time, students could cut down on the amount of time they spent in the waiting area.

Another item that helped some students out was the Red Cross card, which could be scanned to view a donor’s information.

“It’s great, and it’s automatically mailed within four to six weeks after you donate. It really helps out during the interview process to cut down on time,” Suzanne Lidtke, American Red Cross representative, said.

Every donation of blood could save up to three lives. However, this year marked the first time some students could double donate and subsequently save six lives.

“It’s called automated technology, which is when we take two units of red blood cells and filter back in the plasma, platelets and saline solution,” Lidtke said. “In fact, when you’re done you’re actually more hydrated than when you came.”

The blood types the American Red Cross were looking to double donate were O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative. Students with these types of blood who wanted to double donate also had to meet height and weight requirements and have an above average amount of iron in their blood.

“Drink lots of water and have a good meal the night before,” Also avoid drugs and alcohol before and after you donate,” blood drive volunteer Mike Rubocki said.

Donors were monitored by nurses who came from Madison, La Crosse, and Dubuque who made sure students weren’t feeling sick or light headed.

Next year RHA and the American Red Cross are looking to expand.

“We’re adding four regular beds and two double donating beds, taking our total to 22 regular beds and six double donating beds,” Emily Niebuhr, RHA president and blood drive coordinator, said.

The next blood drive on campus will take place from Oct. 28 to 30 at the Pioneer Student Center.