Earlier this semester, the NC Chapter of Alpha Zeta was asked to participate in an apheresis drive, called the SMACKDOWN competition.  We were notified this week that we won the competition (which was against 7 other fraternities) and we were given a shiny new trophy!

            Apheresis is a special donation process in which blood donors give only a certain part of their blood.  During the donation, blood is drawn from one arm and channeled through a tube kit.  Then, the blood spins in a centrifuge to separate the platelets from other blood components.  The platelets are collected, and the blood is returned to the donor. 

            Why donate platelets?  They are essential to normal blood clotting and may be used by patients receiving transplants.  Patients fighting cancer may also require platelet transfusions because most chemotherapy drugs affect cells in bone marrow.

            Our chapter is proud to have our name on the trophy, and we are even happier about how many lives we are helping through our donations.