New Jersey Blood Services and Kean University united on Thursday, Nov. 14, to host a university-wide blood drive. Located in the Miron Student Center (MSC), Room 228, this event lasted through most of the day, giving students and staff members the opportunity to donate at their convenience.
According to the New York Blood Center, there is a critical shortage in blood donations, and an increase in blood demand. Blood transfusions are a life-saving procedure that as many as 95% of Americans need at some point in their lives, according to the New York Blood Center.
Students who participated in the blood drive were greeted by a number of nurses, beds to lay on while donating and plenty of food and water available. Volunteers at the event helped speed up the process by registering students, and distributed stickers that read, "I donated!" A line was formed outside of the door by eager students waiting to donate.
The set-up for the blood drive in the Miron Student Center
Wynter Ragsdale, a volunteer at the event, said that volunteering for events like these are proactive, and as an added bonus, they are a great resume builder. "Now is the time to start volunteering," she said. "Instead of just sitting down and doing nothing, you're actually being productive."
Students who successfully donated blood were also able to receive up to two hours of volunteer service hours for contributing.
For any students looking to donate blood in the future, there are a few rules of thumb to follow:
- Eat and drink something before donating
- Bring a valid State ID and Student ID
- Make an appointment for less of a wait time
- Relax
Volunteers at the blood drive handed out stickers to students who donated
Ragsdale supports donating, encourages everyone to donate and says there's no excuse not to. "This is for an actual person in need. Your blood is going to be used. Blood donations should be promoted more on the news and people should participate more."
This is the second blood drive the Center for Leadership and Service (CLS) has hosted this semester. CLS works toward goals of providing student opportunities in leadership development training, community service involvement, service learning and campus organizational development and serves to connect students with volunteer activities.
The Community and Volunteer Services department under CLS frequently holds community service opportunities for students to gain hours serving the community while making a difference, networking themselves and broadening their horizons.
Regarding information on this event and future events like this, please contact the Center for Leadership and Service with any questions. They are located in the Miron Student Center, Room 219, and can be reached by phone (908) 737-5170 or by email serve@kean.edu.
The next upcoming Blood Drive will be taking place on Dec. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
