Monday, August 16, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section D · Page 17
Some students 'donate' plasma to get quick-cash
By Stephanie McCarty Kanson staff writer
Area newspapers include advertisements that offer a chance to sell body fluids for up to $100 cash.
Nabl Biomedical Center's advertisements state that this is a good way for students to earn money: "Especially when you're broke and want to take a date to a movie."
After seeing a similar adar, Darren Anderson, Shawnee senior, went to Nabi immediately after class.
"My girlfriend expected me to get her something for our anniversary, but I didn't know how I would afford a gift," Anderson said. "It seemed to be a good way to get $100 fairly quickly."
But donating plasma is more than just a money-maker. Plasma, the liquid part of the blood, is important because it can be changed into life-saving medicines. Plasma volume-expanders are used to restore fluid volume in patients who have lost too much blood due to surgery, injury and life-or-death emergencies.
Plasma is used in bleeding and infection control. The plasma contains immune globulins which provide immediate protection against infection in patients who have impaired immune systems.
Christine Mondt, Salina graduate student, has been donating plasma twice a month for three years
"I have never really experienced any major problems from donating," Mondt said. "But I have gotten
light-headed."
KU students count for about 20 percent of Nabi's donations in Lawrence.
After filling out release forms, potential donors must go through a series of tests.
A nurse asks the donor about his or her medical history and checks his blood pressure, temperature and pulse. The nurse takes a blood sample to measure the protein in the plasma, as well as to determine the donor's blood type.
"The person at the front desk pricked my finger to verify that my blood was okay." Anderson said. "She also told me to go pee in a cup. Afterwards, I was supposed to go home until they contacted me with the results of the tests.
On Anderson's second visit, he began the process called plasmapheresis, where the nurse extracted blood from his arm. The machine separated the plasma from the red blood cells, which were returned to his body.
"The needle for the procedure was huge," Anderson said. "It was as thick as the plastic part in the middle of a ball-point pen that holds the ink."
Tracee Nelson, Nabi receptionist supervisor, said that donors should not be afraid of the procedure.
The entire procedure lasts 35 to 60 minutes.
"Even though we use a 16-gauge needle, there is nothing to be worried about," Nelson said. "It feels just like the needle that is used when giving blood at blood banks."
"We recommend that donors arrive fully hydrated so that the procedure passes quicker," Nelson said.
Anderson received $25 for his first donation. After three visits, he received a total of $50.
"I felt like such a loser, a bum, a real scrub by doing all of this just to make a few bucks." Anderson said. "I began to see the same people there regularly, and that's when I decided not to go back."
But Nelson said that she really appreciated the time and effort that the donors gave.
Nabi is a for-profit organization that merged with Immovax, a major vaccine medicine company. Nabi receives the plasma from the mergers and then sells it to other companies.
Nabi is the only plasma bank in Lawrence, but there are 66 Nabi centers nationwide.
The business is located at 816 W. 24th St., behind Laird Noller Ford. They welcome walk-ins on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Donors may call 749-5750 for more information.
"I know that it is for a good cause, but I think that it is pathetic that the only reason people are donating is to get money," said Jennifer Miller, Naperville, Ill., senior. "It kind of reflects our society today. Everyone wants something for themselves."
Edited by Anjum Aziz
By Jennifer Roush
jrush@kansan.com
Kansas columnist
Wandering the Web
For everyone who's already read my other column in the On the Hill section this week, this is the Off the Hill version. (And for everyone who hasn't, it's still ... oh, you get the idea.) My last two trips through the World Wide Web this summer have shone the spotlight on sites devoted to the University of Kansas and the city of Lawrence.
To those of you who are already familiar with Lawrence, it's time to get reacquainted with an old friend. For incoming freshman, point your browsers to these sites, memorize their contents and avoid asking the local dumb questions about who Quantrill was and why Langston Hughes was important to Lawrence.
This is the online version of the Lawrence Journal-World, our newspaper of record. Go here to get local news and plenty of KU sports. Although the coverage of University news and events
www.ljworld.com
can be a bit spotty, the sports coverage more than makes up for it. You also can find local weather and TV listings, as well as live web cams from around the city
www.visitlawrence.com
This site is maintained by the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau. Send your parents to this page when they're planning their visit for Parents' Weekend. You can find out about local nightlife, restau
nightlife restaurants and shopping.
You can even get a monthly listing of special events around town.
Jennifer Roush
Kansan columnis
http://ci.lawrence.ks.us
Lawrence Cybervillage picks up where the last page leaves off. Everything anyone could possibly want to know about Lawrence is contained
on this site. It has an alphabetical list of local links — everything from arts to travel. It even links to Lawrence's sister cities of Eutin, Germany, and Hiratsuka, Japan.
www.larryville.com
www.thesandbar.com
Larryville is the name affectionately given to Lawrence by some longtime residents; this site is billed as a home on the web for those who love Lawrence, Kan. It's much more concerned with the part of the city outside the University. There are links to issues of local interest, such as elections, politics and the arts. It's beautifully designed and well worth a look.
This page may not educate you much, but it sure is a heck of a lot of fun. Where else can you vicariously experience the bar scene? The Sandbar's live web cam lets you do just that. If you're old enough to drink, do so responsibly at the Sandbar. If not, fire up your browser and watch people who are.
Roush is a Lawrence senior in journalism.
Local artists flourish at Arts Center, galleries
By Matthew Friedrichs
Kansan editor
Paint a picture of the Lawrence arts scene. Prominent on the canvas would be the Lawrence Arts Center, 200 W. Ninth St.
any age." Bethav said.
The center gallery has shows booked through 2000.
- The center sponsors classes — dance, painting, drawing, ceramics, photography and others.
The building houses a small blackbox theater where KU's English Alternative Theatre and other groups have staged shows.
Students who want to supplement their educational experience can learn about the center's classes in "Arts in Action," a catalog of classes and activities, which should be printed Aug. 22 and stuffed in the Laurence Journal World or available at the center.
"It's a great place to learn about art at
Fall classes begin Sept. 13; there is a charge for some activities.
Among the artists who teach classes at the center are Jeff Ridgway, a portrait artist who also teaches at the juvenile detention center, and Amy Carlson, a local artist who works with ceramics.
"There's so many types of artists," Bethay said. "The experiences you can gain are vast."
Lawrence has an artistic reputation. From the sculptures that line
Approximately 25,000 people will see you.
Crop artist Stan Herd lives near the center. Author William S. Burroughs made his home in Lawrence until his death.
Massachusetts Street, to the artwork included in public projects like the fountain built last year outside the pool, art figures prominently in Lawrence life.
"We carry between 150 and 200 different artists and craftsmen's work," she said.
Susan Hoisington is an employee at the Phoenix Gallery, 919 Massachusetts St., one of several art galleries in Lawrence.
Among the artists are Lawrence and area residents as well as artists from surrounding states.
Holsington is an artist too. She is a hand-weaver who makes table linens and other fiber items.
Edited by Kristi Elliott
Kansan Classifieds. 864-4358
Beread.
Kansan Classifieds...
KIEF'S Audio/Video Big Sale Now! TV & DVDs 24th & Iowa, Lawrence, KS. 842-1811
La FAMILIA Restaurant "From our family to yours"
Call 864-4358. Be read.
Voted "Best Mexican Food in Lawrence" 5 years running
...are going personal!
Hours: Mon-Wed 11:00-9:00
Thurs-Sat 11:00-10:00
Jenny says, "COME ON BY"
Downtown Lawrence
733 New Hampshire
749-0105
SUNFLOWER
The Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop is the place to find all of the equipment and clothing for your outdoor adventures! Whether you're a cyclist, a hiker, or somewhere in between, we've got what you're looking for! Bikes, backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, technical outerwear and underwear, and even casual clothing for those times when you're not in the backcountry...we've got it all! Come in and see our newly remodeled building today!
The Great Outdoors Awaits!
MOUNTAIN
HARD WEAR
Carhartt
804 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas (785) 843-5000
1