CREDIT: CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES
Canadian Blood Services will be on campus throughout the year to encourage students to give blood.

We've all heard the saying that you never know what you have until it's gone, but how many of us really know what it means? Unfortunately for too many Canadians who need blood in emergency situations, the mantra is painfully true.

Fanshawe College is very fortunate to host a number of Blood Donor clinics on campus throughout the year, and give students the opportunity to literally make a difference in a person's life.

Kristen Ungar is the community development coordinator of the Southern Ontario Canadian Blood Services, and she said that people don't realize how important the issue is. "Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. Much of the blood that is transfused every year is done under emergency or trauma situations," she explained. "In Canada, hundreds of thousands of people each year receive blood components or blood products following accidents, during surgery or for cancer treatments, burn therapy, hemophilia and other blood-related diseases ... On average, 4.6 units of blood are required per patient."

And if you don't already know, giving blood is as easy as it is important. The entire process takes about an hour and the actual donation only takes minutes. You will be screened before donating for things like recent dental surgery or a cold. All needles are sterile and the blood they take — about a half a litre — is quickly replaced by your body, she said. "Donating blood — for the most part — does not hurt and involves only a small pinch. This is true of the hemoglobin check and the donation itself."

If you're interested in donating blood for the first time, you're greatly appreciated. If you're still anxious about the experience, that's okay too, because there are a number of things you can do to ease the pressure.

First off, you should plan to donate on a day when you are the most relaxed and aren't under a time crunch. Your donation will go much more smoothly if you've eaten, had a good rest and are hydrated. At the clinic, there will also be staff and volunteers available for support if you need.

Almost everyone at Fanshawe can attend the clinic. You have to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and feel well when you donate, and you must not have donated in the past 56 days.

The incentive to giving blood? It's worth more than any tangible gift: knowing that you are potentially saving a fellow Canadian's life. Ungar reinforced the reality of needy blood receivers, and said she appreciates everyone who comes out. "Many of us will know someone or even need blood ourselves one day. We would all be in big trouble without blood donors."

There are tons of blood donor events on campus throughout the year, but the first Blood Clinic event on September 24 is a bit different. The One Match event will be held in Forwell Hall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's a quick and convenient way to get your finger pricked, find out your blood type and book an appointment to donate blood.

BLOOD DONOR CLINICS ON CAMPUS

All take place in the Fanshawe Alumni Lounge from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursday, September 27
Wednesday, October 24
Thursday, November 15
Tuesday, November 27
Wednesday, January 30
Thursday, January 31
Wednesday, February 6
Wednesday, February 27
Wednesday, March 13
Thursday, March 28