Lipscomb community has special opportunities to help save lives this week
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a huge difference to someone else. In fact, sometimes a little thing can save a life.
The Lipscomb community has two unique opportunities this week to do something small that has the potential to make a huge impact on the lives of others.
Bone Marrow Donor Drive
A Bone Marrow Donor Drive will take place in Bennett Campus Center Tuesday, Feb. 3, following The Gathering and lasting through the afternoon and on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The drive is coordinated by Delete Blood Cancer DKMS in partnership with Lipscomb’s School of Nursing.
According to Amy Roseman of Delete Blood Cancer, every four minutes in the United States someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer, which includes leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. For many patients a bone marrow transplant is the best chance for survival. While 30 percent of patients can find a matching donor in their families, 70 percent — approximately 14,000 each year — must rely on someone they don’t know to donate.
To date, Delete Blood Cancer has registered more than 500,000 donors in the United States and approximately 4.5 million worldwide. But more are needed as six out of 10 patients are unable to find a compatible donor.
“Lipscomb students, faculty, staff and others can help change that by registering as a donor or supporting our registration efforts with a gift,” said Roseman.
She said joining the registry is simple. Each person who fits the criteria will undergo and quick swab of cheek cells. The sample will be tissue typed to match each donor with patients. The cost to register each new donor is $65, which is covered by Delete Blood Cancer.
“We don’t want these costs preventing someone from becoming a potential lifesaver, so we never require registrants to pay,” said Roseman. “Gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations help us keep registration free so we can sign up as many people as possible.”
For more information visit deletebloodcancer.org.
Blood Drive
The Lipscomb community will have an opportunity to donate blood Tuesday, Feb. 3, and Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Student Activities Center. The American Red Cross blood drive is also sponsored by Lipscomb’s School of Nursing.
Over the last 15 years, Lipscomb has hosted 64 blood drives, collecting 3,277 units of blood, according to Michelle D. Cook , account manager for donor resource development at Nashville’s chapter of the American Red Cross.
“Each unit can save up to three lives, so Lipscomb has potentially saved 9,831 lives in the last 15 years. That makes a tremendous impact on our community,” said Cook.
In recent months the American Red Cross has faced a shortage of donated blood. Donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative are especially needed. On average, the Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day for patients at about 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in most states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
To schedule an appointment for the Lipscomb blood drive, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code Lipscomb 19.