March 19, 2003 News the other press Blood Drive Draws Crowd Kerry Evans Culture Editor Last week the Canadian Blood Services team took over at Douglas College. On March 13, one of the large gym areas was wall-to-wall with cots. The blood drive was run by skilled RN’s, clinical assistants, and volunteers. The process only takes half an hour. The usual collection of blood is a unit (half a litre, one pint). Once you have donated your share of blood you get to relax with a magazine at the cookie and juice table where volunteers keep a close watch. It sounds like a great opportunity to help out, but there are restrictions and recom- mendations before a person is allowed to donate their blood. No person can be under the age of 17 or over the age of 61. The donor has to be at least 110 lbs and can not have had any tat- too work or piercing in the last year. If you have been to the dentist for any reason, you must wait for 72 hours before you can http://otherpress.douglas.bc.ca donate your blood. This is for the donor's own health safety. If you have had a cold, flu or sore throat, it is recommended that you wait for a full recovery. It is also very important to have a full meal one to four hours before donating. If you are a first time donor or have not donated in a long time, you will have to wear a sticker. This makes the nurses and volunteers aware of your situation and they will be monitoring you closely. Donors of any blood type are welcome but those of rare blood types are urged to donate. Blood types such as AB-, B- and AB+ are the least common types amongst Canadians. Type O is the most common blood group and it is in constant demand. It is a fact that one donation of blood can help save four lives. It is also a fact that only a small fraction (3percent) of Canadians are donating blood. Blood donations can be made every 56 days Chris Johnson depending on the health of the individual. An old Japanese belief is that your blood type plays a role in determining the char- acter of a person. Type As are considered sensitive and considerate. Type ABs are proud and easy-going. Type Bs are adven- turous and optimistic. Type Os are natural leaders and born achievers. Whether you believe in this old philosophy or not, giv- ing blood is a selfless act that is appreciat- ed by those in need. Chris Johnson of the Physical Education Department made a very generous offer this year. He said that he would donate $1 toward the scholarship foundation for every person that donated blood. In the past he encouraged students to go donate blood by allowing them to miss one of his classes. Johnson can no longer donate blood because he has been in England too many times. There is always the possibility that Pierre Florendo of the Other Press gives blood Johnson could have picked up Mad Co Disease during his travels. Johnson thin this is preposterous, “It’s impossible fo me to get Mad Cow Disease because al men are pigs.” Johnson, who is retiring hoped that the drive would draw at leas 250 people, and had no qualms abou shelling out the cash. If you missed this blood drive and ar anxious to get involved you can call 1 888-2-DONATE to book an appoint ment and find out where the locations are You can also visit