Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. You have the potential to save three lives by donating just once!

Here in Arizona, 62 hospitals need 500 blood donations a day to fulfill patient’s transfusion needs.

“As you can see, it’s very important for students to donate here at Phoenix Job Corps,” says Jaden Stober, Phoenix Job Corps SGA Secretary. “We’re trying to get more students to donate because donating blood saves lives.”

Phoenix Job Corps hosted a second blood drive with United Blood Services this year on July 19, 2018 in the gymnasium. The next and final one of the year is September 23, 2018.

Donors, for the most part, must be at least 16 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. The whole process takes about an hour.

“We set up chairs and you’ll be called one-by-one and taken over to a cubicle where you’ll be asked some questions to make sure you’re able to donate blood,” explains Stober.

“They’ll take your blood pressure, your temperature, just basic stuff like that to make sure you’re healthy enough to give blood and that it won’t cause you any stress. After you’re done at the cubicle and you’re finish with your wellness checkup, you go over and donate blood. You’re going to sit there for about 15 minutes. They take a liter, I believe.”

Your blood is needed for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. A car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. About 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the U.S. every day.

“After you’re done donating, we have some tables with snacks and water for everybody who has donated blood because after giving that much blood you’re going to be a little light-headed,” Strober says. “Students just chill for about 10-15 minutes and head back to class.”

Forty-seven people signed up for this last blood drive. Hopefully, more will sign-up next time!

By Melody Birkett, BCL