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Show 4 - Wednesday, March 29, 1995 The Daily Utah Chronicle states Blood from page 1 explained Belinda Welch, a donating U. student. "The needle didn't hurt all that bad." Chris Chun, coordinator of the blood drive, said making people aware of the importance of platelet donations is an important addition to drives, generally thought to be focused solely on whole blood donations. "We're using every possible opportunity to educate the public," Chun said. The Blood Donor Aphcresis Center at the U. Hospital is responsible for units of acquiring over 10,000 half-lite- r blood a year, supplying patients as diverse as bum victims to suffering from leukemia. ARUP conducts the blood drives at the Union once a month, as well as cooperating with members of the Greek Saint Student system, the Latter-daAssociation and campus ROTC. "The University of Utah is an ideal place to conduct the drives," Debbie Duffin, platelet recruiter for said. ARUP, "Students generally lead healthy lifestyles, usually have time between their classes, and are more aware of social needs." Over 15 pints of blood were given Tuesday, over a four-hou- r period. "We'd love to have around 40 a day," Chun said. "The number of donors usually fluctuates depending upon the month we hold the drives." ARUP supplies the U. Hospital with 400 to 600 pints of blcxxl monthly, accommodating over 75 percent of the hospital's needs. ARUP also supplies up to 400 monthly platelet products to the U. Health Sciences Center. "Hatclets arc drawn to help the bone marrow of patients in danger of bleeding to death," Chun said. ARUP's Medical Center location is a aphcresis facility with six reclincr chains with headsets and mini televisions, according to Chun. "They really baby you up there." said Duffin. "The entire process of platelet r donation is a procedure, and we're more than willing to make deserving donors comfortable." Duffin noted that donors occasionally experience chills and a tingling in the teeth due to the recycling of calcium, but die donation is a relatively painless procedure. "We'll give them a blanket if they need it. but guys usually don't feel and women say they enjoy the buzz." DufTin said. The donation Is a process of drawing blood in a one- - or two-arprocedure. Chun explained that the blood is coagulated and die platelets arc separated from the red Mood cells by ccntrifugation. "What we end up with." Chun said. "Is an upper level of plasma, and a lower level of platelets with the red bbxxl cells in Ixrtwccn. "We keep the platelets and recycle the red bkxxl cells and some of the plasma back into the donor. It's a lot like the old dairv skimmers." Unlike whole bhxxl donations, which require 5(i days for the Ixxly to regenerate its lost cells, platelets can be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year. "Hatclets are gcxxl for only five days, and the need for them is constant." DufTin said. from page Philadelphia City Council recendy passed a resolution urging the state Legislature to oppose the conference. In Colorado, the resolution endorsing the conference rare for has been scheduled for a committee hearing resolutions and it is languishing there. House Speaker Chuck Berry, Springs, said a flood of negative constituent calls compelled him to assign it a hearing. Conference organizers are planning a counterattack to educate legislators. There has even been talk of delaying the conference if opposition continues. They had hoped for the resolution to pass in 38 states by June. "It's clearly been a disruption and one we didn't expect," said Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, who organized the conference with Gov. Ben Nelson of Nebraska. "You want to be careful anytime you pull a group together like this, because if it should be commandeered by die wrong forces, it could be turned into a statement of something you don't want," said state Sen. a strong advocate of Charles Duke, states' rights and "messenger" for the 1 - - But the issue has hit turbulence elsewhere, including California where it was killed by a committee March 22. Five other states have killed the resolution, and two legislatures have adjourned without acting on it. The conference organized by the Council of State Gwernmcnts, working with the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Governor's is a Association response to the growing frustration with government. It will give state leaders an opportunity to define an agenda and send a strong message to Washington with a unified voice that dicy want to bring government back to the people, its backers say. The Conference of die States likely will be held in Pliiladclphia, where the states last met formally for the first Constitutional Convention in 1787. But even in Pennsylvania there is trouble. The - - Patriot Movement Duke said a resolution introduced in the U.S. Senate asking the states to conby Sen. Hank Brown, vene a conference to pass a balanced budget amendment is the consent the states constitutionally need from Congress to make changes to the Constitution. Article V of the U.S. Constitution requires a directive from Congress before a Constitutional Convention could be called. "We see now die basic structure put in place," Duke said. "If the people who would destroy our Constitution were to gain control of (the conference) then we see that the potential for the destruction of our Constitution is very high." Leavitt disagrees. "You can't find a responsible constitutional scholar in the world that will agree with right-win- g that." BY JENNIFER MEARS Associated Press y full-tim- e state-of-the-a- rt f-- i i. v. 1 two-hou- any-tilin- Who Says Insurance Prices Just Keep Going Up? Blue Cross And Blue Shield Is Pleased To Announce An 18 Reduction From the 199394 Year In The University Of Utah Student Health Insurance Rates! 0 After donations, volunteers may expect a letter from ARUP informing them of the condition of an individual they may have helped. "Finding out that your platelets were used on a girl with leukemia is die greatest reward," DufTin said. ARUP ofTcrcd payment in die past for donations, but switched to the voluntary system four years ago. After die switch, over 75 percent of the volunteers continued donating. "We're here to fulfill our demand for whole blood, but we feci it very important to educate the students and ofTcr them the opportunity to save a life through platelet donation," said Chun. Students wishing to find out more concerning platelet donations should contact Dcbbi Duffin at 585-632-4. Again this year, students at the University are offered more real value in health insurance from the most recognized and trusted name in health care, Blue Cross and Blue Shield. With an eighteen percent decrease from last year's premium, you receive the same great coverage from the only student healthcare plan officially sponsored by the University of Utah. Eus Cross EU3 Shield 1800528-489- 8 BUT I FEEL QREATJ WHY DO I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE? You never know when an accident or illness might happen. Going uninsured is gambling with your future. The costs of medical care are so high they could easily force an uninsured student out of college. Don't let an accident or unexpected illness affect your education. Be sure you are protected. Call the Blue Cross and Blue Shield customer service center for details about affordable rates for students. enrollment at the Office of Income Accounting (165 Student Services Building) is April 7. The deadline for on-camp- us |