Lethbridge College Blood Drive Challenge

• Attend a “What’s Your Type”: Once a week Canadian Blood Services will be on campus to tell you about your blood type and let you know how easy and important it is to share with those in need.
• Join a team: Rather not go alone? Contact TLC at volunteer@lethbridgecollege.ca to join an established team. Make new friends while saving lives.
• Call 1 888 2 DONATE to set up an individual or group appointment: Can’t make it for a pre-scheduled appointment? Feel more comfortable going alone? Call Canadian Blood Services to book your own appointment – 1 888 236 6283.
• Take your friends, family, classmates or coworkers: Help your team win by bringing your classmates or co-workers. Not a college student or staff?  Check the “friends of” box for the team of your choosing.

How can I get enough iron in my blood to be able to donate blood?
In preparation for blood donation, Chef Charles Parker and his culinary arts team are preparing iron-rich meals through the Blood Drive Challenge. Iron is an essential element for blood production, and with 5% of donors temporarily deferred because their hemocrit, the pre-donation test for anemia, was below the recommended 38% minimum, it is extremely important to stock up before donating.

Stop by the cafeteria to stock up on iron with these $6 Iron Bowls:

• Oct. 31-Nov.4 - Liver Lyonnaise with: Braised Cabbage, Herb Steamed Potato
• Nov.7 - Nov. 11 - Mussel and Prawn Creole over Whole Grain Pasta
• Nov. 14- Nov. 18 - Vegetarian Curry with Barley Pilaf
• Nov. 21- Nov. 25 - Spiced Chicken Apricot Stirfry with Cashews

Your "iron level" is checked each time before your blood donation to determine if it is safe for you to give blood. Iron is not made in the body and must be absorbed from what you eat. The adult minimum daily requirement of iron is 1.8 mg. Only about 10 to 30 percent of the iron you take in is absorbed and used by the body, making it extremely important to eat high in iron foods prior to blood donation.

 Sources:

• http://www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/edu/iron/index.html
• http://faculty.deanza.edu/donahuemary/BlooddonationFAQs

Almost everyone is curious to know their blood type, but unless you are a regular blood donor (or have had extensive medical experience) you don’t usually know this information. That’s why Canadian Blood Services’ ‘What’s Your Type?’ events will be on campus.

The ‘What’s Your Type?’ has two very specific goals:

• To test individuals’ blood groups via a finger-prick and provide blood type information, as well as provide both useful and ‘fun’ information about blood and blood types.
• To create awareness and inform the general public about the need for blood donation.

Join TLC and Canadian Blood Services in the Centre Core:

• Monday, October 31, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 10, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Monday, November 14, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday, November 24, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Top 10 Reasons to Give Blood:
http://www.givelife2.org/donor/top10.asp

1. You will get free juice and cookies.
2. You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in.
3. It's easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center.
4. It's something you can spare — most people have blood to spare… yet, there is still not enough to go around.
5. Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.
6. You will walk a little taller afterwards — you will feel good about yourself.
7. You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.
8. It's something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can't buy. Only something one person can give to another.
9. You will be someone's hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
10. It's the right thing to do.

Top 10 Excuses Not to Give Blood:
http://www.givelife2.org/donor/top10excuses.asp

1. I don’t like needles/ I am scared of needles/ I am afraid to give blood.
   Nearly everyone feels that way at first. However, most donors will tell you that you feel only a slight pinch, and 7-10 minutes later, you are finished and headed for the refreshment area. If you take the time (and courage) to make one donation, you’ll wonder why you ever hesitated.
2. I am too busy.
   The entire process takes about an hour, and the actual blood donation time is only 7-10 minutes. If you stop to think that an hour of your time could mean a lifetime for a premature baby, someone with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, or someone who’s had an accident, you might decide that you can make the time to give the gift of life.
3. No-one ever asked me… I didn’t realize my blood was needed.
   Consider yourself asked! There is simply no other way to supply the blood needs of hospital patients but for the generous donations of people like you. Every two seconds someone needs blood. More than 38,000 donations are needed every day in communities across the U.S.
4. I already gave this year.
   You can give every 56 days. Many donors give 5 times a year!
5. I am afraid I’ll get AIDS.
   It is not possible to get AIDS by donating blood to Canadian Blood Services. A new sterile needle is used for each donor and discarded afterwards.
6. My blood isn’t the right type.
   Every type of blood is needed daily to meet patient needs. If you have a common blood type, there are many patients who need it, so it is in high demand. If you have a less common blood type, there are fewer donors available to give, so it is in short supply.
7. I don’t have any blood to spare.
   The average adult body has 10-12 pints of blood. Doctors say that healthy adults may give regularly because the body quickly replaces the blood you donate.
8. I don’t want to feel weak afterward.
   Donating blood should not affect adversely a healthy adult because your body has plenty of blood. You will donate less than one pint, and you body, which constantly makes new blood, will replace the donated volume within 24 hours. Most people continue their usual activities after donating.
9. They don’t want my blood (I am too old/I’ve had an illness).
   If you have doubts, check with your physician. The qualified staff on duty at a blood drive or donor centre will also review your medical history with you. Call 1 888 2 DONATE to speak with a registered nurse.
10. I have a rare blood type, so I’ll wait until there is a special need.
    Blood that is rare or special is almost always in short supply. There is a constant need for these blood types in order to avoid having to recruit specific blood types in a crisis.

Sometimes there are reasons/situations where interested donors are temporarily deferred from donation.  If you cannot give this November there are still other ways to help:

Promote our Drive
Don’t hesitate to spread the word to your friends, classmates, coworkers and family members. Anyone can take part in this drive as long as they identify themselves as supporting the Lethbridge College (TLC) Blood Drive.

If you are unable to donate because you have recently given and the 56 days have not passed, please contact blood services to have your previous donation count towards our total.

Give Financially
Although Canadian Blood Services mainly seeks life giving blood donations, financial donations are accepted to assist in the operation of donor clinics. Please visit their website here for more information. http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/E_Fundraising?OpenDocument&CloseMenu

Give your Time
Volunteering your time is another way to take part. Opportunities include:

• Promote blood services, blood donation and the upcoming Lethbridge College challenge
• Greet and assist donors throughout the process
• Provide customer care and hospitality

Visit Canadian Blood Services for more information:
http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Internet/UW_V502_MainEngine.nsf/page/Volunteers?OpenDocument