Sara Cochrane is a University senior who’s in good health. Cochrane, a psychology major, was eligible to donate blood when the Lane Memorial Blood Bank was at the University Wednesday.
“It makes me feel good about helping other people,” said Cochrane, who gave blood for the ninth time. “(Donating blood) saves a life with minimal effort. I don’t know why more people don’t.”
According to 2003 University alum Kristi McElhinney, community affairs coordinator at LMBB, one pint of donated blood can actually save three lives.
“I can’t think of anything else you can do in one hour that would save three people’s lives,” she said. “I think it ultimately makes you feel really good.”
To be eligible, a potential donor must be in good health, at least 16 years old and 110 pounds. If a person weighs less than 110 pounds, one pint of blood is too high a percentage of his or her body weight.
Because people can carry the malaria virus without showing symptoms – and because there are strains of the HIV virus present in Africa – travel to a “malaria area,” such as rural parts of Mexico or the African jungle, can also make a potential donor ineligible.

“The rule of thumb is that if you were in a city or resort, you’re probably OK,” McElhinney said.
Other disqualifiers include prostitution, a recent piercing or tattoo and heroin use.
The actual donation only takes from five to 15 minutes.
“By the time you fill out the paperwork, come here and get screened, sit in the chair and donate, and go back in and have goodies … it’s approximately an hour of your time,” said Katrina Bowser, a certified medical assistant who works with LMBB. “So that’s a good return: (saving) three lives. And cookies!”

Bowser thinks fear of the needle is one of the primary reasons more people don’t donate blood.
“Many times people don’t even feel when they get stuck and it’s (not nearly as painful as) an accidental injury,” she said. “Who hasn’t had a bike wreck? That hurts way more than this.
“If it ever feels like there’s stickers in your socks, you need to say something. It needs to be adjusted and probably the blood flow will improve, too, if it’s pain-free.”
Cochrane thinks the idea of the needle is worse than actually being pricked.
“It’s more the phobia behind it,” she said. “People I talk to who say they haven’t tried it say they couldn’t handle it.”
Steven Kastenbaum, a University sophomore who walked past the blood drive and spontaneously decided to donate, said the needle only hurts for a second.
Kastenbaum donated for the first time and after learning about the benefits, he said he will probably do it again when he’s eligible.
“To me, it just seems like a simple, easy way to give back,” he said. “To be honest, I’m really surprised more people don’t do this, especially at a school that participates in a lot of philanthropic events.
“There’s not one specific disease or illness; it can be used for a variety of different things which makes it more important for people to give.”
Before being used for transfusions, the blood is tested and then stored at a controlled temperature in LMBB’s facility at 2211 Willamette St. – which Cochrane is happy not to visit.
“I think it’s great that Lane Memorial does this outreach,” she said. “I know if I had to go over to Willamette or wherever they are, I wouldn’t go.”
Every month, LMBB has a two-day blood drive in the EMU. To be one of the 60 to 100 people who, on average, donate blood each time, stop by the Fir Room between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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