Imagine being rushed to the hospital after being involved in a car accident, with a deeply damaged artery, and you are losing an immense amount of blood by the minute. As the ambulance reaches the hospital, emergency doctors attending to you know that there is only one way to save your life—to give you a blood transfusion.

UTM helps people in these types of situations every year, as it competes in the UTM vs. Murray State Blood Battle. This year’s 12th Annual Blood Battle will take place today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in front of the UC. Registration will take place in the cafeteria hallway.

For several years, UTM has come out on top in the blood battle. In fact, UTM has won the blood battle trophy nine times and has donated about 3,300 units of blood in the past.

One Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi ... That’s how long time passes before another blood transfusion is needed in the United States according to a Hofstra University study.Three seconds is not that long; therefore, it is crucial that all eligible persons donate. As UTM hopes to obtain another blood battle victory, we want all potential donors to learn of the quick blood donation process that helps save lives every day.

Julia Thomas, a junior at UTM and blood donor, said that her first experience donating blood was a pleasant experience.

“It seemed kind of quick,” said Thomas. “I didn’t have any problems.”

Thomas, like other blood donors, began this process by answering questions about her medical history on a computer to insure that it was possible for her to give blood. All of this information will remain strictly confidential with the blood donation service according to the National Blood Service.

After this, she got to eat a tasty treat so that she would not get light-headed or dizzy while giving blood.

A nurse then pricked her finger to test her hemoglobin levels. The organization does this to test for anemia. Anemia causes paleness and weakness; therefore, if a donor is anemic, that person will not be able to donate blood that day. Thomas was not suffering from anemia, and she was able to begin the donation part of the process.

A nurse attached a bandage above her elbow, and she was given a rubber ball to squeeze to get her blood pumping. A nurse then injected a sterilized needle into her arm that was attached to a tube that transports blood into a bag.

Thomas also said that this process was not painful at all.

Approximately a pint of blood was taken before the needle was removed and a bandage was applied to the wound. The nurses let her rest and gave her another snack before she left.

“The nurses are really nice,” Thomas said. “They make you feel very comfortable.”

It is very important for people to get involved in this process. The Hofstra University study says that 60 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood; however, only 5 percent actually do. Therefore, if you would like to get involved, do so at this year’s blood battle, as it promises to be a rewarding experience.

“I always thought it would be good to help other people,” Thomas said as she described how rewarding her experience was. “Since I could [donate blood], there is no sense not to.”

Thomas said that she has every intention of giving blood at this year’s blood battle and encourages everyone to join her in an effort to save lives.

It is important to remember that blood is constantly needed. It is crucial to life. Donate blood! Oh, by the way, approximately 70 blood transfusions were needed in the time it took you to read this article. Hopefully, there was enough blood to go around.