Linna Jones
Art and Entertainment Editor 

Photo by Janelle Martin

Giving-  Patsy Thomas takes senior Maurice Sevelo's blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive Sept. 11. Sevelo majors in business management.

     The American Red Cross Blood Drive collected 51 units of blood in the John F. Gibson University Center Green Room Sept. 11.

   Sixty-one students attempted to give blood, and the drive delayed 10 donors from donating for various reasons.

   Patsy Thomas, nurse in charge of the mobile operations, talked about the shortage of 1,500 units of blood at hospitals and said area hospitals need up to 500 units to run efficiently.

   Thomas also gave suggestions for potential donors. 

   Potential donors need to:

• Eat a good meal
• Weigh at least 110 pounds
• Get a good night's rest
• Be a least 17 years old without a parent's consent
• Have an ID or donor card

   First-year student Sharon Emerson said she felt compelled to give blood. 

   “It feels really nice to know I am going to be saving a life,” Emerson said. 

   Terri Richardson, director of Student Health Services and Exercise Center, thanked the University of Arkansas-Monticello Knights for the assistance they provided at the blood drives in the last several years. She also suggested a few tips to relieve first-time donor anxiety:

• meet a patient who benefited from an anonymous donor.
• eat a real meal one-to-two hours prior to donation.
• drink plenty of water prior and following donation.