Pumping to Save a Life

Pump, pump!!! This year’s blood drive will be on October 18 from one to five o’clock p.m. at Lister Sage. It is being sponsored by the United Blood Services from Rapid City, and will be organized by the Robotics Blood Team. The purpose of the blood drive is to replenish the blood bank. There is no cost to donate blood, but a person has to be at least sixteen years or older in order to donate. Before someone gets their blood drawn their vital signs must first be checked along with their blood pressure to make sure that they have good clean healthy blood. When getting their blood drawn a person simply sits in a chair and is reclined in order to help them relax. After having their blood drawn the donor must wait five to ten minutes before they can leave to make sure that they have no reactions. While waiting they eat some kind of salty to help replenish their blood. Miriam Kearns says, “It a great thing and helps save lives.”