30 people donated blood at the American Red Cross’s blood drive

by Olivia Preston and Bailey Matteson

Eight people were turned away at American Red Cross’s blood drive due to lack of available beds, but students, faculty, staff, and local community members donated 30 pints of blood on November 6^th.

From 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Spagnuolo Hall was filled with people lined up to donate blood. T-shirts were being given out by the Red Cross as an incentive to donate.

According to Senior Rebecca Haluch, vice president of the Student Health Advisory Council (SHAC), there is currently a major shortage of blood, making this particular blood drive especially important. “Any amount of blood we give today is beneficial because they’re in such a dire need,” said Haluch.

Senior Morgan Candon donated blood and had a personal reason for doing so. Candon’s close friend passed away two years ago because she needed 72 blood transfusions. “Every year in memory of her, my hometown has a blood drive,” Candon said. “I’m not home to participate in this year’s, but the FPU blood drive happened to be two days before the one at home.” Candon has the same blood type as her friend, making it even more special for her to donate.

SHAC was unsure if the blood drive was even going to happen. Senior Jocelynn Reyna, treasurer of SHAC, said, “SHAC  hadn’t heard anything from the Red Cross, so we assumed no blood drive going to happen this semester.” A week before the drive SHAC was informed that the Red Cross was coming. Members of the American Red Cross ran the event and members of SHAC volunteered by assisting with check-in.

After donating people were expected to spend a few minutes at the snack table to boast up their blood sugar and ensure everyone who left was feeling up to par.

The last person was done at 5:23 p.m. and the Red Cross was packed up and driving away at 6:02 p.m.

The American Red Cross comes to campus twice a year and

will be back in the spring to host another blood drive.

 

 

 

 

 

Transparency statement: We got this story by attending the blood drive. At the blood drive Olivia interviewed Rebecca Haluch and Morgan Candon. Bailey interviewed Jocelynn Reyna.