St. Patrick’s Day may mean shamrocks and leprechauns to some, but at Kellogg Community College it means the return of the College’s annual American Red Cross Blood Drive, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, in the lobby of the Binda Performing Arts Center, located on campus at 450 North Ave., Battle Creek.
Here are some facts and statistics about blood supply and donation from the American Red Cross Blood Facts and Statistics page online:
- Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.
- Blood cannot be manufactured; it can only come from generous donors.
- An estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, but less than 10 percent actually do each year.
- The average adult has about 10 pints of blood in his or her body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation.
- Every blood donor is given a mini-physical including temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin checks to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood.
- Blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes, though the entire process — from the time you arrive to the time you leave — takes about an hour and 15 minutes.
Those who wish to give blood March 17 at KCC can walk in during the event or can set up an appointment in advance either by stopping in at the Student Life office in the Student Center on the College’s North Avenue campus or by emailing the office at studentlife@kellogg.edu.