2008 Woodie Awards
American Red Cross stays open for Labor Day
Faith Franklin
Issue date: 8/28/08 Section: News
The American Red Cross will stay open during the upcoming holiday, as the need for blood donations continues throughout the year.
This Labor Day, the Murfreesboro Donor Center will be receiving donations from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
"We are open on most holidays. Blood is needed 365 days a year, 24 hours a day," said Joette Philips, American Red Cross communications coordinator for the Tennessee Valley Region.
"It's a good idea for the Red Cross to be open on Labor Day," said Hayley Gholston, junior pre-nursing major. "A person can take a vacation from their job, not their health; hospitals are still open and people are still sick and in need of blood."
"It is important for the students and citizens of Rutherford County to donate," Philips said, "because there is a constant need for blood. Every two seconds, someone needs blood in America."
Each blood donation has a shelf life of 42 days, "which means that it constantly needs to be replenished," Philips said. "Usually it does not stay on the shelf that long."
The Red Cross supplies 59 hospitals in the TVR with blood everyday.
Keeping a constant blood supply requires that donors make donations a part of their routine. If a one-time donor increases his or her donation two or three times a year, it makes a big difference.
"Each donation has the potential to save up to three lives," Philips said.
Students, faculty and staff that will miss the Labor Day drive will have two opportunities to donate on campus this September.
The MTSU Association of Secretarial/Clerical Employees will sponsor a blood drive on Sept. 9, and the School of Nursing will sponsor one on Sept. 15.
Both drives will be held in the Keathley University Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.; donors will have the opportunity to win $25 gas cards. at each drive.
This upcoming blood drive is one of the biannual drives that the ASCE sponsors as a community service project.
"It's right here, it is simple to do and it gives students and faculty an opportunity to save a life," said Annette Merriman, coordinator for the ASCE.
To donate blood the Red Cross requires a person to be at least 17 years of age, with a minimum weight of 110 pounds.
A Tennessee law that became effective July 1 allows 16-year-olds to donate blood with written parental consent.
"We recommend that you be in good general health and feeling well the day you come into donate," Phillips said.
For more information the American Red Cross can be contacted by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visiting www.givelife.org
This Labor Day, the Murfreesboro Donor Center will be receiving donations from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.
"We are open on most holidays. Blood is needed 365 days a year, 24 hours a day," said Joette Philips, American Red Cross communications coordinator for the Tennessee Valley Region.
"It's a good idea for the Red Cross to be open on Labor Day," said Hayley Gholston, junior pre-nursing major. "A person can take a vacation from their job, not their health; hospitals are still open and people are still sick and in need of blood."
"It is important for the students and citizens of Rutherford County to donate," Philips said, "because there is a constant need for blood. Every two seconds, someone needs blood in America."
Each blood donation has a shelf life of 42 days, "which means that it constantly needs to be replenished," Philips said. "Usually it does not stay on the shelf that long."
The Red Cross supplies 59 hospitals in the TVR with blood everyday.
Keeping a constant blood supply requires that donors make donations a part of their routine. If a one-time donor increases his or her donation two or three times a year, it makes a big difference.
"Each donation has the potential to save up to three lives," Philips said.
Students, faculty and staff that will miss the Labor Day drive will have two opportunities to donate on campus this September.
The MTSU Association of Secretarial/Clerical Employees will sponsor a blood drive on Sept. 9, and the School of Nursing will sponsor one on Sept. 15.
Both drives will be held in the Keathley University Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.; donors will have the opportunity to win $25 gas cards. at each drive.
This upcoming blood drive is one of the biannual drives that the ASCE sponsors as a community service project.
"It's right here, it is simple to do and it gives students and faculty an opportunity to save a life," said Annette Merriman, coordinator for the ASCE.
To donate blood the Red Cross requires a person to be at least 17 years of age, with a minimum weight of 110 pounds.
A Tennessee law that became effective July 1 allows 16-year-olds to donate blood with written parental consent.
"We recommend that you be in good general health and feeling well the day you come into donate," Phillips said.
For more information the American Red Cross can be contacted by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visiting www.givelife.org
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