In the gym, on Friday March 1st, will be the 5th annual Volunteer Knights blood drive. Volunteer Knights hold this blood drive because they want to help out anyone in need of blood. The blood tends to go to hospitals; which have a constant need because of car crashes, surgeries, and medical diseases. Around 100 donors have signed up, but Volunteer Knights needs 170 donors altogether. The Mississippi Valley Blood Drive, the same group as last year, will be drawing the blood.

“Volunteer Knights have prepared for the blood drive by recruiting a lot of students, getting the gym prepped for procedures, and making sure that every worker knows what they are doing, to help the blood drive run smoothly,” Kellie Voyles, Volunteer Knights sponsor, said.

The procedure donors can expect to go through is signing in, going through screening, to make sure their blood is acceptable, and having the blood drawn. After the drawing is done donors will be able to relax, while they eat pizza and drink lots of fluids to fight nausea, before returning to class. The whole procedure lasts about an hour.

Donors should:

1. Drink plenty of water or juice the night before. Avoid soda and tea, which lower iron count, making it unlikely that donation will be possible.
2. Eat three hours prior to donation to ward off dizziness. Foods like eggs, meat, spinach, and raisins, that are high in iron are recommended.
3. Have their I.D. with them.