Rio students turn out for blood drive

Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital's (PIH) blood donor center came to Rio Hondo's campus inn on March 3 and 4 hoping to collect blood donations from faculty, staff, and students. Nurses and phlebotomists from the blood center were set up with all of their equipment, and possible donors began to fill the waiting area. Students lined up to donate blood for club participation, classroom extra credit, and/or to simply save the lives of others.

Donors stood in the waiting area to fill out a Medical History Questionnaire until they were called to begin examination which included a series of questions, a hemoglobin test, a check of temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. When the donor was safe to give blood and that the blood was safe to be received, then they were directed to one of the hospital beds where nurses began to draw blood.

"I wanted to give blood because I know there is always a blood shortage, but I was scared because of my past experience when I fainted; luckily this time wasn't so intense," said blood donor Andrea Lugo.

"My aunt is in need of blood at the moment so I felt the need to help out people in her situation," added blood donor Hillary Carrillo.

PIH blood donor center collects their own blood by having donors go directly to their site or by conducting blood drives throughout the community. The blood collected is tested at their lab and distributed to PIH patients only and can be stored throughout the facility for up to 42 days; however blood is rarely stored for more than 10 days.

"[After the blood is collected] it is taken to the lab for testing and [distributed] to the patients in the hospital," said phlebotomist Darlene Garcia.

"Without out conducting blood drives, we would not be able to supply our blood bank and it is important for people to donate blood because there is no substitute for it."

When PIH does not collect enough blood to sustain the patients, they must purchase blood from the Red Cross which can become a huge expense which is why these blood drives hold an important role in efficiently maintaining hospital funds and saving lives of their patients.

"On a good blood drive day, we can collect up to 100 pints of blood and each pint can save up to 3 lives," said phlebotomist Joe Guerrero.

PIH nurses and phlebotomists were asked a series of common questions by donors who were concerned with the donating process.

They take approximately one pint of blood from each donor and common side effects include vomiting and fainting which is why it is recommended to be in good health, eat a nutritious meal, be at least 16 years of age, consume plenty of water, and weigh at least 110 lbs. Snacks and refreshments are given to donors after the withdrawal of blood to increase stability.

"Our most common concerns are whether or not our supplies are sterile, will the procedure be painful, and side effects like fainting," said Guerrero.

Donors can donate every 56 days and are encouraged by PIH to donate on a regular basis to their community by visiting their office located at:

12401 Washington Blvd.
Whittier, CA 90602

PHI Blood Donor Center (562) 789-LIFE Ext. 5433
Mon.-Thurs: 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
Fri: 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.