The Honors Program held a Valentines Day blood drive on Feb. 14 in the Pierson Auditorium, encouraging students and staff to help their community.
Blood drives on campus happen twice a school year in order to encourage young and healthy people to donate.
Around 6.8 million people donate blood in the U.S each year. The need for blood is always present, as people all over need blood for conditions or diseases.
“I’ve always thought that blood drives are really important and helpful for the community especially in such a time of need with the shortage of blood,” said Davin Tubbs, a freshman in the Honors Program studying accounting.
First time donors are often from the age group of 18-24 years old, but many people do not donate again until later in life. As older generations become unable to give as much blood, Millenials and Gen Z have to step up to meet the need for blood.
“It’s important to start instilling in younger people the importance of giving back if you are able to,” said Jaime Braden, a staff member in the registrar’s office. “It’s a good collective opportunity for everybody from different backgrounds to come together for the same cause.”
Emily Richardson, sophomore studying EMC engineering, talked about the importance of having these blood drives on a college campus for the reason of getting younger people involved in donating.
Pairing the drive up with Valentine’s Day encouraged some people to give for the first time. These kinds of incentives along with free shirts and a therapy dog named Cinnabun are angled to try to get people to donate.
“I wanted to give blood because I have not really taken the time or had the opportunity to give back in a way like this,” said Braden. “It being offered on campus just seemed like the prime golden opportunity. If you are able to give blood I don’t know how you could pass up on an opportunity like this.”
The next blood drive will be on April 15, 2025.
