By Sue Loughlin
TERRE HAUTE — Last year, high school students provided about 16 percent of the blood donated to the Indiana Blood Center, according to representatives of the nonprofit community service organization.
Historically, Hoosier high school students have donated about 11 percent. “They’re an increasing part of our donor base,” said Wendy Mehringer, the center’s director of public relations and marketing.
The organization has 10 donation centers throughout Indiana, including one in Terre Haute.
In 2008-09, the center launched an initiative to encourage high school students to donate and to decrease the possibility of post-donation reactions, such as dizziness.
“We want students to have a good experience,” Mehringer said.
The initiative attempts to minimize wait times, reduce reaction rates and support the school with added personnel on blood drive day.
The initiative includes:
n Communicating with school nurses throughout the blood drive planning process and on the day of the drive. Nurses will have access to the Indiana Blood Center physician on call.
• Coordinating a “grab and go” breakfast opportunity for student donors arriving at school.
• Providing pre-donation hydration (liquids) to all students.
• Reducing standard blood collection volume from student donors.
• Using gym mats for post-donation recovery area.
• Offering bottled water to all students as they go back to class, with approval from the school.
• Committing a donor care specialist on site, upon request, to address postdonation concerns. This ensures the school nurse remains available to manage other student health concerns on the day of the blood drive.
“For the last couple of years, we’ve had a very successful program with 16- 17- and 18-year-olds,” said Dr. Don Waxman, the blood center’s chief medical officer.
From September through November, all five Vigo County School Corp. high schools will conduct blood drives, as well as Union High School in Dugger and North Central High School in Farmersburg. Various student groups and clubs sponsor the drives.
In Indiana, 16-year-old students can donate with parental permission, while 17- and 18-year-olds do not require parental permission. Donors must be at least 16.
Last school year, Vigo County School Corp. high school students donated 870 units of blood during fall and spring drives.
Students are asked to volunteer for many things, Waxman said, but when it comes to donating blood, “This is the type of volunteer act that is going to save lives.”
It’s also a way to support the community’s two hospitals, Union and Terre Haute Regional. “Every day, 24 hours a day, they require blood products,” he said.
For more information about donating, go to Indianablood.org.
The Indiana Blood Center Terre Haute is at 2021 S. Third St. The telephone number is (812) 238-2495.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
