College of Nursing Student Encourages Others to be Blood Donors

Illana Olden, a second year student in the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing, is a regular blood donor for several reasons.

"I have O+ blood, so that means 85 percent of the population can use my blood, because that is something that A+, B+, AB+ and O+ can use," she says. "Women tend to have lower iron levels, and sometimes my iron scores aren't high enough for me to donate, but when they are, I donate."

Olden estimates that during her nearly two years as a College of Nursing student, she has donated blood six times. And she plans to donate again during the campus-wide blood drive next week.

"I don't think people realize that donating blood can actually be beneficial to your own health," she says when asked why she thinks more people don't donate blood regularly. "It can kind of detoxify your body."

Time is another factor for some would-be donors, and Olden says she certainly understands that. "I know for me personally, being a full time nursing student who also has two jobs and volunteers, having time to donate can be a major factor in whether or not I give blood," she says. "So I get that people sometimes just don't have the time."

Her volunteering takes place at the University of Cincinnati Open School, where she gets to sharpen her medical skills, by taking blood pressure readings and giving health screenings.

One of her two jobs has her working at CommuniCare of Clifton, a rehabilitation center providing post-acute care after surgeries. This gives her the chance to work in geriatric care, which is what she wants to specialize in as a nurse.

The UC all campus blood drive will be held at TUC in the Great Hall April 11 – 15, from 10:30 – 5:30 p.m. Appointments are encouraged. For more information, go to hoxworth.org/uc.