East Marshall senior to host blood drive
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Olivia Terrones, a senior at East Marshall High School, is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Grace Church, 3111 S. 6th St.
Terrones is passionate about blood donation and has a lot of experience with it.
"I try to donate every chance I get," she said. "It's an easy way to help others and give back."
Not only does this event help people in need of transfusions, but it could earn Terrones a $500 scholarship for college from LifeServe Blood Center. She must recruit 40 donors in order to receive the scholarship, and she has 15 signed up to give blood.
The scholarship would help Terrones next year when she attends the University of Northern Iowa with a major in elementary education.
According to Claire DeRoin, community relations coordinator at LifeServe, winter is a time of particularly great need for blood donations. With many regular donors cancelling their donations due to having the flu, there is a shortage of blood for transfusions.
DeRoin said they often partner with students to offer scholarships during their slower months.
"During the months of the year where we really struggle to get donations we reach out to students," she said.
These blood drives often bring out many donors, with people excited to participate in events that benefit both people in need of blood transfusions and the students who host them.
Because these events help multiple groups, DeRoin called them "kind of a double whammy of a charity effort."
Donation Tips:
• A person must be at least 16 years of age and weigh at least 120 pounds.
• No one should donate if he or she is ill.
• Have a light meal and drink plenty of water before donation.
• Bring a photo ID.
• Set aside around one hour and 15 minutes for the entire process, though the actual donation will only take about 10 minutes.
For those who may be nervous to give blood for the first time, DeRoin said not to worry, as LifeServe has a team of professionals to walk donors through the whole process.
Transfusions may go to patients who have sustained serious injuries, who are undergoing surgery or cancer treatments or who have blood disorders.
According to the American Red Cross, one donation could save up to three lives.
Those who are interested in participating can register online at https://donor.lifeservebloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/169072.
Contact Anna Shearer at 641-753-6611 or ashearer@timesrepublican.com.