Donors have giving options at annual campus blood drive

The apheresis method draws the blood and separates it using a centrifuge or a filter.

WHOLE BLOOD OR APHERESIS METHODS
AVAILBLE AT BIANNUAL COMMUNITY EVENT
9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 28, Art Gallery

LOCAL RESIDENTS ENCOURGED TO GIVE A PINT

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and the local residents have two donating options at Penn State New Kensington's biannual Community Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, in the Art Gallery.

Donors can choose between the whole blood or apheresis methods. Both methods are safe and both draw approximately a pint of fluid from the donors.

The whole blood method is the typical method where the blood is drawn manually, collected in a pint bag, and stored unprocessed. It is later separated into red blood cells and plasma.

The apheresis method draws blood from the donor, separates it using a centrifuge or a filter, stores the desired part, and returns the rest to the donor. This process is done with a machine specifically designed for this purpose.

The Alle-Kiski Medical Center Blood Bank will collect, store and deliver the blood. Donors of all blood types from the campus and the local community are encouraged to help increase the blood supply in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Last fall's donations totaled 54 units, the second-highest total in campus history.

Appointments are not necessary as walk-ins are welcome. A free cholesterol screening is available to each donor. For more information about the blood drive, contact Elaine Zarichnak at emz3@psu.edu or 724-334-6066.