Freshman Blogging Project: Blood Drive

On the week of September 13, 2015, the American Red Cross held a blood drive at Stockton University.  The event was in Big Blue, the main athletic gymnasium on campus, and was from 10am until 3pm.  Running the event for five hours allowed more people to donate because they could find multiple time slots that fit into their schedule.

I volunteered at the blood drive on the morning of September 17, 2015.  My job consisted of checking people in and providing them with information about the risks of donating and the safety precautions.  For example, people who are anemic, or iron deficient, may not be able to donate or that the loss of blood may cause people to faint.

In order to prevent donors from passing out, other students were working the food and drink station.  Snacks, like cookies and pretzels, and drinks, like water and apple juice, were handed out to donors to ensure that they stayed hydrated and regained their strength after losing so much blood.

The blood donated will be used for blood transfusions around the nation.  Every two seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion because of a medical illness or car accident.  One pint of blood can save three lives, so every donation counts.

My friend in high school has a brother who needed blood transfusions since he was born.  She felt useless and wanted to do something to help her sibling, but was unsure how.  Then, she heard about student-organized blood drives and was instantly filled with hope and excitement.  Starting in the summer of her junior year, she ran a blood drive every spring and summer because she knew that the donations saved her brother’s life.  I donated every time because I felt like it was a selfless act that, although anonymous, went a long way with the receptors and their families.

Thus, the Red Cross blood drive held at Stockton University was instrumental in giving back to the community and providing support for people who are ill and need blood transfusions.