I have to say that I’m decidedly not a fan of the discriminatory rules applied to blood donation in New York—for instance, if you’re a man who’s had sex even once with another man since 1977, you’re permanently excluded from donating blood.

But the people who really need blood have nothing to do with making these rules—so, problematic as they may be, if you are eligible, please do give blood at the GC on October 18.

SAVE THE DATE!  HELP SAVE A LIFE!  FALL BLOOD DRIVE
OCTOBER 18

The annual Fall Graduate Center Blood Drive will take place on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18  in the Skylight Room (9100) from 10:00 am to 3:45 pm (first appointment at 10:00 am, last at 3:30pm )

Walk-ins are OK, but appointments are recommended: visit NYBLOODCENTER.ORG

Questions about whether or not you can donate?  Call 1-800-688-0900 Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

**DONATING ONE PINT OF BLOOD TAKES UNDER AN HOUR AND CAN SAVE UP TO THREE LIVES **

In addition to the regular donation of whole blood, donors have the option of donating blood via an ALYX donation, 2 units of red blood cells, crucial in blood transfusions.  This donation may take 10-15 minutes longer than a regular donation.  To participate, you must be at least 5’1” and 136 lbs for men, 5’5” and 156 pounds for women.  When you make your appointment, specify ALYX donation if you’d like to participate this way.  (And yes, these are the correct requirements for men and women!)

All donors can start getting ready for October 18 RIGHT NOW by eating regular meals, drinking plenty of fluids, and getting a full night of sleep every night.  In particular, start eating foods that are rich in iron:  clams, beef liver, chicken liver, pork liver, mussels, oysters, beef, sardines, shrimp, turkey, blackstrap molasses, cooked beans and lentils, enriched breakfast cereals, pumpkin seeds, baked potato with skin, canned asparagus, canned beans, enriched pasta, raisins, chicken, dried apricots, dried peaches, dried prunes, prune juice, eggs, ham, romaine lettuce, tuna, veal, wheat germ  – and iron absorption enhancers such as meat, fish, poultry, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, orange juice, strawberries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, green and red peppers, tomato, and tomato juice.

AVOID these foods that inhibit iron absorption:  bran, coffee, red wine, soy, tea.

  • Check out the Advantage Program, designed to recognize your thoughtfulness as a blood or platelet donor. Each time you save lives by making a blood or platelet donation you’ll earn Advantage points redeemable for a wide variety of gifts or gift cards.

Let’s make the Graduate Center one of CUNY’s biggest Blood Drive participants for 2011.