Blood Donor Clinic Volunteer
Insider Info
At the age of 90, one blood donor clinic volunteer shows up every Thursday
to serve food and drinks to blood donors. She's been volunteering there for
more than 30 years and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.
"She's so spry. She remembers donors' names -- even what they take in their
tea or coffee, what kind of treat is their favorite," says Dorothy Olsonberg.
Olsonberg is the clinic's coordinator of volunteer services.
Blood donor clinic volunteers greet people who come to the clinic to donate
blood. They register the donors and answer their questions. After the blood
is taken, donors rest, and volunteers serve them refreshments -- tea and coffee,
juice, cookies or soup.
Volunteers also monitor donors for negative reactions, such as lightheadedness.
Nurses are on hand to deal with any medical emergencies, though emergencies
are rare. Then as donors are leaving, volunteers thank them for their donation
and remind them to book their next appointment.
"Our age range is from 14 to 90," says Olsonberg of her volunteers. "So
during the day we get mostly retired or semi-retired people. After school
we get all the after-school kids. And in the evening we get young adults.
"In our organization, [volunteers are] crucial," she adds. "It's absolutely
necessary. On average, we rely on 25 to 30 volunteers a day here at our center.
... It's hard to believe how much we depend on them."
Did You Know?
- One blood donation can help save three people's lives.
- Blood is transferred to people following accidents, during surgery, or
for cancer treatments, burn therapy or blood-related diseases.
- Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood.
- Roughly one pint of blood is taken during a donation. The average adult
has 10.5 pints of blood in the body.
- A healthy donor can give blood every 56 days.
- Donors must be 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good
health.
Matthew Brosseau first learned about blood donations when a blood services
organization set up a mobile clinic at his high school. After that, he became
a regular volunteer. He's also a blood donor.
"I decided it's something I can easily do to save lives and, you know,
make a difference," he says.
Brosseau's volunteer hours vary from week to week. He might work a three-hour
shift after school, or come in for four hours on weekends. He helps the staff
set up for afternoon clinics. He offers donors drinks and snacks after they've
given blood. And he keeps an eye on the donors to make sure they're feeling
all right.
Most of the time, it's pretty run-of-the-mill. But one day, he was talking
to a woman who had just donated blood and she collapsed right in front of
him. He called for the nurses, and while they tended to the woman, Brosseau
occupied her children with coloring pages and reassured them that their mother
would be fine.
"Whoa, that was interesting," he says. "Usually that doesn't happen. Usually
it's just kind of low-key."
Brosseau plans to become a flight attendant. He believes his work at the
clinic is great training. He's learning how to deal with people, as well as
emergencies. But besides the valuable skills he's gaining, he just plain
enjoys volunteering.
"It gives me a sense of pride in that what I'm doing actually does help
save lives because if there weren't volunteers there, a lot of donors wouldn't
come and do what they do."
After seeing the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Debra Gilbert
wanted to do something to help. She decided to volunteer at a blood donor
clinic. A volunteer with the American Red Cross in Ohio, Gilbert registers
new donors and serves refreshments. She also trains new volunteers.
"We take [the volunteers] through their task management -- what they'll
actually do when they get to a mobile or fixed site," she says. "So that part
is pretty much step by step, taking them through the registration process,
how they have to fill out the forms, and then what to watch for."
The training also helps new volunteers understand what the American Red
Cross and blood services is all about. It explains the organization's code
of ethics, and the expectations of volunteers.
A retiree, Gilbert volunteers twice a week at the blood drives. "I like
meeting the people," she says. "Donors are very special people because they're
giving of themselves totally. To me, I'm impressed with people that will give
their own blood -- part of their life -- to help save other people's lives."
Sometimes donors are nervous about the needles. Or, they're just not sure
what to expect. So volunteer Hazel Griese calmly explains the procedure, and
tries to relieve their fears.
For the past four years, since retiring, Griese has been volunteering weekly
at a blood donor clinic.
"We have quite a few first-time donors," she says. "I just love waiting
on these wonderful people. It gives me a great feeling. It's a two-way street,
really, because what I'm doing makes me feel good. And me helping them seems
to make them feel good and more comfortable."
Griese goes wherever she's needed. Sometimes she volunteers at the main
clinic. Other times, she's sent to mobile clinics -- temporary locations set
up around the city. At the mobile clinics, Griese sees about 100 donors a
day. At the main clinic, as many as 180 donors a day roll up their sleeves
for the cause.
"I like it when it's busy," she says. "Of course, I'm a people person.
I just love talking to people."
How to Get Involved
Visit the website of America's Blood Centers or the American Red Cross
to find your local blood donor clinic. Or, call 1-800-GIVELIFE for information
about blood drives in your area. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.
Associations
America's Blood Centers
Internet
:
http://www.americasblood.org
American Red Cross Blood Services
Internet
:
http://www.redcrossblood.org
Links
Information for Students
If you're too young to donate blood, f'ind other ways to get
involved
Quick Facts and Figures About Blood
Learn more about blood from America's Blood Centers
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