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The American Red Cross returned to the University of West Georgia on Jan. 25 as part of its national campaign to collect blood.
With natural disasters occurring every day, both in the US and across the globe, the Red Cross’ mission—to aid those with blood diseases like sickle cell, and victims of serious injuries that require a transfusion—has never been more appreciated.
Though the volunteer agency spent nearly six hours in the Campus Center Ballroom receiving blood from donors, only around 100 people, less than a one-hundredth of the student body at the University of West Georgia, showed up to donate.
Of the population on campus, around 38 percent are estimated to be eligible for blood donation. Able-bodied donors that have had no previous exposure to malaria, HIV or any other blood-borne diseases are eligible for donation, as are those persons weighing more than 110 pounds.
Despite the criteria, however, the turnout had not been as large as expected. A positive result from the day’s donations was that first-time donors appeared rather large. Veteran blood donors still dominated the waiting queue and were eager to share their horror stories with the fresh-blooded newcomers.
Michael Hetisimer, a freshman business administration and management major, recalled a previous donation experience, during which a preoccupied Red Cross volunteer caused a bubbling cyst over the injection site of his double red-cell donation. Despite his frightening experience, Hetisimer admitted to returning to blood donation for incredibly selfless reasons.
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