The Blood Challenge is open to the ECU community

The American Red Cross runs blood drives all over the country and has been doing so for years. On Oct. 29 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Blood Challenge will be on ECU's campus, sponsored by the College of Health and Human Performance and the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.

The program began at ECU as an exercise for the Exercise 1000 and Health 1000 classes to see which class could get the most people to come donate blood, but this year it is publicized as an event for all of ECU's community: faculty, staff and students alike.

"We're just challenging the university saying, 'Can you come out and possibly save the life of someone else?'" said Debra Tavasso, Health 1000 program director for ECU.

The challenge between the classes has been going on for nearly 10 years, but this is the first year that it has really been open to everyone.

Flyers can be found around campus and at the Student Recreation Center to explain the procedures that take place before someone gives blood.

The basic requirements are that the person is healthy, at least 17 years of age and can produce valid photo identification. Once an individual can provide those things, the other assessments will take place to make sure it is safe for the donor to give blood. Height and weight are factors, and it is recommended that one drinks eight to 10 glasses of water and eats a hardy meal before donating the blood.

Tavasso said they hope for 450 units of blood for this drive, which means they will need 450 people to reach their goal. One unit of blood comes from each person.

"This is the biggest blood drive on campus," said Tavasso. "They [The Red Cross] have a lot of staff, so they can handle the large number of people coming through."

The blood drive has proven to be helpful in the past. Former ECU student Kristen Brown, who graduated in 2007, received blood from the Exercise 1000 and Health 1000 blood drive in 2008 after being diagnosed with aplastic anemia, which is a disorder that causes bone marrow to malfunction.

Brown was not available for comment, but sophomore Jennifer Walston, a business major, commented that she thinks stories like Brown's are a good reason for people to donate blood.

"There is always going to be a constant need for blood," Walston said. "It [giving blood] is another way of giving and helping save someone's life other than giving money."

The Blood Challenge will take place in the Student Recreation Center on the back two basketball courts.

Visit WeNeedBlood.org or call 1-800-Give-Life to find out information about eligibility to give blood. Also go to RedCross.org for further information about how to help with blood donation.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.