Blood donations were significantly lower then expected during the Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP) and ASU annual blood drive held in the Recreation Room on March 3.
Last semester, the BCP received donations from 27 people, said Hope Duden, phlebotomist who has worked with the organization for 10 years.
This semester, the BCP only received 21 donations.
Former ASU Vice President of Clubs Henry Parker said, “Part of the reason why the turnout was so low (was) because it was underpromoted. More students would have attended if they had been reminded enough.”
Originally, the event was supposed to end at 4 p.m.
Instead, the organization ended it at 1 p.m., which left little time for students who could not make it in the morning or afternoon, Parker said.
Registered nurse and former Contra Costa College student Elaine Caccam, who helped coordinate the blood drive, said another one of the main reasons why the turnout was lower was because of the strict requirements for blood donors.
During the blood drive, the BCP would have the community donors answer the 55-question form.
If they did not meet the height, weight or other health requirements, their blood donation would not be considered. The questionnaire was designed to be selective, Caccam said.
Nursing major Maria Castillo, who was a prospective first-time donor at the event, was not able to donate blood because she had received a recent tattoo, which made her an undesirable candidate. Yet, she does plan on donating blood in the near future.
Sometimes potential donors would come completely unprepared to the blood drive, Caccam said.
“We’ve had donors come in without eating a full meal or didn’t drink enough water,” she said.
During the drive, Duden would check to see how big the donor’s vein was. If the vein was too small, then the BCP could not draw blood from the donor.
“Sometimes students who show up with small veins didn’t drink enough water,” Duden said. “Drinking water increases the size of the vein.”
Caccam said the economy was another reason why the turnout was so low.
She said people are losing medical coverage, which is why hospitals do not require too much blood.
The people who actually meet all the requirements for a blood donation choose not to donate, Caccam said, because they are either too busy with work or are too afraid of needles.
“Sixty to 65 percent can donate blood, but only 40 percent to 45 percent of them actually donate,” Caccam said.
Donor technician Phillip Martin said it is really disappointing how only 5 percent of our community is willing to donate blood, and out of that 5 percent, some will not be able to donate.
The blood that was received from CCC students, however, will be going to local hospitals and will be donated to people who have gotten into car accidents or are cancer patients, Duden said.
Contact Lissette Alvarez at lalvarez.advocate@gmail.com
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