You have the opportunity to save someone else’s life.

You might get weak in the knees at the thought of having a needle stuck into your arm as a tube pumps out the red liquid that keeps our bodies going.

But giving blood is truly an honorable thing to do.

It gives the Iowa State community the chance to help out those in need of a certain blood type after a car accident, an athletic injury, a surgery and other medical needs.

We hear of people around the world who are in desperate need of new organs. Although blood is not in abundant supply, we need to make sure the need for blood doesn’t parallel the need for organs.

Donating blood is something you can do to help save someone’s life without going through major surgery.

All that is needed is about 45 minutes of your time.

It is now common for people to give blood for themselves in advance if they know they will need it for surgery.

But not everyone is lucky enough to know when they’ll need blood.

To donate blood, people must eat a decent meal before donating, weigh at least 110 pounds, remain off antibiotics 48 hours prior and be at least 17 years old.

Many people don’t fit these requirements or have sicknesses that do not allow them to donate blood. This is why as many people as possible need to donate.

Each pint given has the possibility of saving three people. That’s pretty remarkable.

So take a study break and go to the Great Hall in the Memorial Union this week to give blood. The 1997 Fall Blood Drive started yesterday and will run through Friday.

Even if you are scared or you think you can’t give blood, go try it.

It’s worth the shot.