Marquette University is known for its dedication to serving the greater Milwaukee area. This reputation was seen in action last Wednesday as students, faculty and staff flocked to the Alumni Memorial Union to donate blood.

The blood donated is processed by The BloodCenter of Wisconsin and is distributed to hospitals in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Deborah Kossoris, an account representative for the BloodCenter, helps coordinate the event. She encourages everyone to try and donate.

“Giving blood is the greatest volunteer opportunity you can do… anyone can write a check, but this requires you to give up that hour of time,” said Kossoris.

The hour of time spent donating one pint of blood can save up to three adult lives or the lives of six infants.

Ali Myszewski, an assistant director at the Alumni Memorial Union, works alongside Kossoris to organize two campus- wide blood drives each year. There are also drives held by residence halls and different organizations across campus. However, the largest drive is always the All University Blood Drive. It aims to collect between 150 and 200 pints of blood each year. That means that if the AMU met its goal, Marquette could be instrumental in saving up to six hundred adult lives, in a little less than one day.

First time donor Meaghan Kaupe, a College of Communication sophomore, said donating blood on Wednesday allowed her to save lives with minimal effort. She said the event made her feel like a “laid-back superhero.” She said that it is the simplest way to help someone and that there is no reason not to.

Although some may see donating blood as frightening, the whole process is rather simple. Donors sign in as they enter the ballroom and then are asked a series of questions by a nurse.

A rather painless finger prick follows to test the iron level of the potential donor’s blood, and if the iron level is high enough, the donors begin having their blood drawn. The actual donation time takes less than ten minutes, and the only pain most donors experience is a sting and a pinch as the needle is inserted.

On Wednesday, most donors reported that the entire process took less than 40 minutes.

Of those interviewed, none reported any side effects from the process. Becca Rusk, a freshman majoring in exercise science and physical therapy, donated for her first time on Wednesday. She said her donation was a good experience. She did not feel inconvenienced whatsoever by the donation process. To prepare to give blood, Rusk took iron tablets and drank extra water leading up to the event.

This fall blood drive was a great success. The final count was 119 donations. Although this was not as high as BloodCenter had originally hoped, Myzewski remained positive.

“Whether a drive has 20 donations or 200 donations, I would consider it a success as any amount is an appreciated amount,” Myzewski said.

The blood raised by the Marquette community will be instrumental in saving lives and those who donated know they were heroes for a day. So mark your calendar for February 14, 2008, and get ready for the next All University Blood Drive.

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Marquette students searching for a great science degree often overlook Clinical Laboratory Science, which might possibly explain its size as one of Marquette’s smallest majors. According to the College of Health Sciences, there is a “critical shortage” of CLS professionals in the field. However, despite this shortage, Marquette, as evidenced by the huge engineering and law school initiatives, does not seem to be interested in curbing this deficiency.

CLS students are not just at work in the lab to earn a money-making degree, but are performing millions of tests they will someday use to answer the question,

“What disease can this be causing?” At only about half its capacity, Marquette’s CLS program is striving to decrease the shortage in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences industry and step up recruitment, according to CLS department chair, Linda Milson.

“I think the university does a good job in recruitment for all majors,” said Milson. “But I think alerting more faculty advisors and the student population that the major exists would be successful in recruitment.”

Because of the serious industry shortage, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services aims to train 138,000 new laboratory scientists by 2012. However, according to Clinical Laboratory Science associate professor, Dr. Linda Laatsch, this is proving to be a difficult task.

“We’re nowhere near where we need to be by 2012,” said Laatsch.

The important role Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) plays in the medical profession, points to the necessity for more recruitment by the university. Although the CLS department currently runs a young scholar program for students to come in and work in labs, earning college credit over three Saturdays in the summer and the major is also a part of the university open houses, students feel Marquette could do more.

“I believe that it is my responsibility to help promote the field,” said Caitlin Knapp, a Clinical Laboratory Sciences sophomore.

“When I reply to the question, ‘what is your major?’ I just receive blank stares. If we are trying to promote this field, then I believe that more students on campus should understand the field even if they don’t want to be a part of it,” said Knapp.

According to College of Health Sciences Dean, William Cullinan, Marquette is in the process of pushing recruitment initiatives and plans to intensify high school recruiting efforts, revamp the Web site and “create an electronic newsletter from the college that can reach our alums and friends,” said Cullinan.

The College of Health Sciences a p p r o x i m a t e s that, “between 70 and 80 percent of all diagnostic information used by physicians comes from labs.”

Because these CLS professionals often work behind the scenes, a lack of awareness and knowledge is a big factor in the industry shortage.

“Clinical lab scientists perform critical functions, and I think the profession suffers a bit by lack of exposure because much of this takes place behind the scenes,” Cullinan said.

According to the Abbot Diagnostics “Labs Are Vital” Website initiative, clinical laboratory scientists, “analyze bodily fluids and tissues to identify anemia, infections, toxic substances in the blood stream, cardiac and cancer markers and strains of infectious diseases.”

The Web site also breaks down the shortage, as for every two new scientists entering the field, there are seven facing retirement. And although, according to Milson, Marquette is one of five Wisconsin universities that offer Clinical Laboratory Science, with Marquette’s upcoming capital c a m p a i g n , Marquette will continue to have the edge.

C u l l i n a n said raising the university’s overall e n d o w m e n t through the capital campaign would bring in students to Marquette’s program.

“It will benefit the CLS program by making us more competitive as a university,” said Cullinan. “The program is already incredibly strong, with outstanding faculty, an excellent job placement history and board exam passing rates that are nearly perfect.” Along with a close to 100% CLS certification exam, hands-on lab activity and the seven-month clinical option for seniors with a virtual job guarantee are also features that draw students to Marquette’s program.

“I first wanted to study a hard science, but I was disappointed that most programs do not include the fun lab techniques until the senior year. [At Marquette] I can actively participate in diagnostic medicine and learn practical lab skills,” said Clinical Lab Sciences sophomore Jenny Simenauer. “The shortage motivates me in some way, because I know I will have a job after graduation, but I am more interested in the medical skills it offers.”

Although many CLS graduates choose to go on to Medical School, there are several career opportunities. According to the College of Health Science, CLS grads can go into healthcare administration, dentistry, health radiation science, optometry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

“It is an exciting field, and as importantly, a noble profession,” said Cullinan.

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