Sacramento State students and staff exceeded donation expectations for a recent blood drive sponsored by the Sacramento Blood Source, in affiliation with Associated Students, Inc.

The university community gave 246 units of blood during the April 30 – May 1 drive. Organizers, who had hoped for 200 units, were pleased.

“The center can definitely use the extra blood,” said Elizabeth Bates, who records donation data for Sacramento Blood source.

Sacramento and its neighboring counties need over 425 units of blood per day, to maintain patients, according to Bates.

Medical assistants usually interviewed potential donors about past sexual activities, medical history, medications, and past travels.

“I had no problem with the questions, besides that?s the criteria I would like for blood I would need,” said Hjalti Kristjansson, a veteran blood donor and kiniseology major.

“When people express concerns about it hurting or them passing out, I assure them that it?ll be all right,” said Jeff Kaspari, a Blood Source phlebotomist.

It takes 5-7 minutes to draw, after which donors are required to rest, while being offered snacks and fluids.

“This is my first time of giving blood, and it didn?t hurt as much as I thought it would,” said Kathryn Martin, a business major.

Nursing majors also had an information booth at the drive that called attention to the need for bone marrow donors. The display was part of their senior project.

Charles Richie, a senior nursing student, said people of Asian Pacific descent are in desperate need of marrow donations.

“Go out there, and give, you just might be saving a life,” said Hjalti. “We do a great job taking care of you and helping you out, after all you are helping us out,” said Theresa Nannery, the charge nurse at the event.

The next blood drive is scheduled for Sept. 17 and 18.

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