Give Blood: Help Others

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Make a difference and donate blood through the America Red Cross on Thursday, Oct. 3. The number one reason donors say they give blood is because they “want to help others” and just one donation can help save the lives of up to three people. The American Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and most of that comes from mobile blood drives, like the one at Dakota County Technical College. You’ll also receive a mini-physical that checks your blood pressure, pulse, body temperature and hemoglobin.

• When: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013 | 7 a.m. to 2 p.m
• Where: Dakota Room (1-502) | Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount Campus

Facts about blood needs

• Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
• More than 44,000 blood donations are needed every day.
• A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006).
• The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately three pints.
• The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O.
• The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.
• Sickle cell disease affects more than 80,000 people in the U.S., 98 percent of whom are African American. Sickle cell patients can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives.
• More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
• A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

Visit the Student Life Center on the DCTC Rosemount campus for more information and to sign-up. WALK-INs Welcome!

The Donation Process Step by Step

Donating blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. The donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only 8–10 minutes on average. The steps in the process are:

Courtesy of the American Red Cross

For more information about the Blood Drive or Student Life at DCTC, contact:

• Nicole Meulemans
  Student Life Director
  651-423-8403