How can you touch the life of a stranger and possibly even save it by giving just over an hour of your time? Donate blood.
On Wednesday, October 27, approximately 160 McDaniel students rolled up their shirt sleeves and headed to the blood drive held by the American Red Cross.
For some, donating blood was a new experience. Senior Jamie DeAtley, for example, explained that he made the decision to give blood for the first time because “it’s a virtually painless process that everyone can do to help out.”
Freshman Stephanie Akoto agreed. “It’s an experience that everyone should go through,” she explained. Akoto has not been able to give blood in the past due to low iron, but she plans to keep trying because donating will make her “feel accomplished.”
Besides the intrinsic benefits, sophomore Kristina Kiss, noted that giving blood is fun “because you get to meet the workers and they are very nice.”
”Plus, getting a shirt is nice, too!” she added with a smile.
Patrick O’Toole, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving, commended McDaniel’s donors. He explained, “It’s important for us to get into the habit of giving blood early on so that we will continue to give as our lives become more hectic.”
Freshman Elyssa Bidnell, a veteran donor who had given blood eight times previous, shared a similar sentiment. “Blood is needed everywhere,” she stated. “People get in car accidents all over the place. Sometime you might get in one and need blood.”
Assuming that it took you 90 seconds to skim this story, 45 people in the United states have required a blood transfusion since your began reading. That’s right; according to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs blood every other second. When will one of those people be one of your loved ones? When will one of those people be you? What will you do to help satisfy the constant, ever-present need for donations?