Second blood drive of year “pretty good”

The second blood drive of the year turned out “pretty good, better than the first” says Mike Miller, blood drive volunteer doctor. The “silent heroes” of Rose blood donors steadily came through this past Tuesday and Wednesday. Over 100 units of blood were drawn, weighing up to about 150 pounds.

Hospitals will order the blood for the needs of its patients; Rose-Hulman produced enough of the life-giving fluid for more than two orders. Rose is amongst many other local educational institutions that participate in the blood drive, but Rose “always has the largest turnout” says Mills.

Over the next seventy-two hours the blood will be tested for diseases such as AIDS as well as cholesterol levels. Then, all of the blood will be used within the next week for various purposes. The primary use of donated blood is for victims of motor vehicle accidents, who need two to four pints each. However, blood used for intensive procedures, such as heart surgery, may take over one hundred pints of donated blood. Overall, Rose will provide about 110 people with the gift of life.