Featured Photo by Marshal Clemmer
Story by Marshal Clemmer
2023 is the thirteenth year of a friendly competition between Middle Tennessee State University and Western Kentucky University to see who can get the most blood donations. MTSU’s donations were collected in the MTSU Recreation Center.
MTSU and WKU collect on average 1,000 to 1,200 donations over a period of three, seven-hour days. In this competition, MTSU has won the past five, not counting the two years during the pandemic.
The United States uses roughly 33 thousand units per day to meet demand, Senior Recruitment Manager Gene Baker said. Unfortunately, during the summer, supply drastically drops to a dangerously low level.
“Events like this bring awareness to the need,” said Baker. “Our supply is very low for various of reasons. School is out. People are on vacation. Other activities. Summer probably is our most difficult time to collect.”
With this blood drive, MTSU is joining the fight against sickle cell anemia this year. Normally a red blood cell is disk-shaped and soft enough to easily move around the circulatory system, as it carries oxygen to the cells. For those with sickle cell, a mutation causes their red blood cells to become rigid, sickle-shaped and unable to carry oxygen. These sickle-shaped blood cells can’t flow through the system easily. This condition causes severe conditions ranging from blood clotting, severe pain, strokes, infection, and eye problems. The only known proven treatment is blood transfusion.
“Sickle cell anemia primarily hits the African American community,” said Baker. “The best match for that is the same ethnic match. Right now, 40% of the blood that were giving to sickle cell patients are from people who identify as Black/African American.”
The remaining 60% of donations increase complications due to possible rejection, even if the donated blood is the same type as the patient.
With a sizable African American student body at MTSU, the American Red Cross seeks to improve upon that 40% by declaring this as a sickle cell drive and setting up their operation at MTSU.
Donation centers need donors with O-negative blood type. Those with that blood type can universally donate their blood to anyone in need of a blood transfusion.
“O negative can be the most in-demand blood. In an OR situation, there’s no time to find a match. If you have O neg on the shelves, it’s quick. There’s no finding a match,” said Baker.
Each unit of donated blood can save or improve the lives of up to three people.
To contact Lifestyles Editor Destiny Mizell, email lifestyles@mtsusidelines.com. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, or follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines or on X at @MTSUSidelines.
