Issue 154

Vampirism in uni?

12th March 2007

To quote a song by the Test Icicles, all you need is blood.

Blood is a fundamental and vital part of life. Whereas some people cringe and perhaps faint at the sight of blood, you get these other types who just love to be surrounded by blood! No, they aren't vampires, they are the National Blood Service. These charming people urge you to give blood not only for the enormous sense of satisfaction you get from donating, but also for that simple matter that the one pint which you have given can in fact save a life.

Now for the facts and figures: giving blood is indeed a rewarding experience, but one which can only be undertaken every four months.

In cases of severe blood loss, the whole blood is used. However, it is also broken down to separate components and used in several different ways. Blood itself is used just about everywhere in a hospital, from accident and emergency to paediatrics. Blood can save lives, but is also vital even for the dying.

By having a blood transfusion at the scene of an accident, the critically ill patient would then stay alive long enough to see their loved ones one last time.

There are four different types of blood, O, A, B and AB. Each comes in a positive and negative form. The most common blood type is O, and if you have this type then you have the pleasure of joining Elvis Presley, Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and around 26 million other people in Britain. Anyone can receive type O blood and so it is definitely a good thing that there are so many people who have this type.

However, this is irrelevant unless they donate! Giving blood is definitely an experience. As the victim (sorry, donor,) enters the designated room they are greeted and given a simple form to fill in asking questions about their general health and any possible exposure to diseases or infections.

They are then registered onto the National Blood Service's database. This basically helps them to keep in contact. The donor then goes to a screened-off area so that a member of the team can make absolutely sure that the victim is happy and healthy. Once this is completed their finger is pricked in order to find out if they are anaemic by checking the haemoglobin level. Anaemia happens when your iron levels are low - if this is the case, then you are not able to donate blood, as it would cause more harm than good!

Following that, the victim then meets their nurse, the lovely person who will answer any questions and stay with them as they donate. For the lazy out there, you will be pleased to know that you lie down throughout the whole experience! The donor lies down on the bed and a cuff, which is similar to the one used to check blood pressure, is wrapped around their arm so that it is easier to find a vein.

Usually the left arm is the one which will have the pleasure of having its life force drained from it, but joking aside, this is a relatively pain free sensation and there is the optional extra of having a local anaesthetic too. The nurse is constantly there and if any discomfort or any uncertainty is felt then they will reassure and provide support.

How long it takes depends on how fast the supply of blood is (yes, even blood donating can be a race!) On average the time it takes for the donation to be taken is ten minutes. Another variable is the actual vein size; yes, size matters when it comes to blood donating! A sample is also taken to test the blood back in the laboratory.

After the donation has been given the victim again has a lovely lie down. For the first time donor their arm is strapped up in a bandage which would make a mummy proud. For the seasoned pros their arm simply has a little plaster.

For at least 10 minutes it is then necessary to just rest and make sure that everything is fine and dandy. This lets the body cope with what has happened.

Due to the fact that the National Blood Service are such generous and kind people, they give you a drink and a biscuit after the ten minutes of relaxation. A smart move perhaps - free food, surely the best incentive to encourage the poor student to give blood! Having a biscuit and a drink has a reason behind it other than relaxation and enjoyment, it also ensures blood sugar levels are kept up.

After this, the 'ordeal' is over. All in all it takes about 30 minutes, after which the donor is then free to leave, taking with them the thought that they are now a superhero, giving someone the chance to live. How about that for a cleansing of the soul?

Claire Packer