Just over a month ago, tropical storm Isaac hit the Gulf Coast with hurricane strength winds and torrential downpours. As with many other natural disasters, the national awareness of the need for blood skyrocketed. Although the blood used in emergencies has been donated before the events took place, a prevailing public sentiment is to give blood afterwards to help recovery. This sentiment, according to the Red Cross website, is exactly what is needed right now.
Although the damage from Isaac created little need for blood transfusions, the threatening weather and flooding canceled multiple blood drives along the Gulf Coast, creating a shortfall of blood in many states on the Gulf. Red Cross issued a national call for increased blood donations to make up for the shortage.
Although Ripon College had scheduled its blood drive long before Isaac even existed, last Tuesday’s Red Cross blood drive could not have been timed better. Volunteers and donors stopped by Great Hall throughout the day to participate in the drive. Less than 38% of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but just a one unit of donated blood can save up to three lives.
“Giving blood means that I can save a life, help someone get better,” sophomore Sara Frost notes. “My significant other is in the military, and I give in support of wounded soldiers and those with illnesses that need blood.”
Frost shared that she donates blood every time Ripon College has a fair, and she donated plasma during the summer.
“[Blood donations] saved my grandpa’s life,” Frost notes. This personal connection was common place among volunteers at the blood drive. Meg Schwemmer, a staff member at Ripon College, also had a personal reason for taking time out of her day to give blood.
“I donate blood because my son had an accident and would have died without blood transfusions. I am grateful that people donate. [A lot of people] wouldn’t make it through serious surgeries or accidents without blood transfusions.”
Even the fear of needles couldn’t keep senior Bill Heinze away from giving blood. He first donated blood when a drive came to his high school.
“I was peer pressured into it by my friends,” Heinze reflects about his first time donating. Since then, he has donated blood several times. Last Tuesday, Bill was one of several students who gave what is called “double red cell” donation which takes longer but also aides more people.
Of course, giving blood is not the only way to support blood drives. In addition to giving blood, senior JoHanna Burton sat at the registration table for most of the event, helping check donors in and briefing them on the procedure. Having volunteers fill these roles allow all the nurses to focus on the donation process and maximizes the units of blood collected.
“I like to help in any way that I can,” sophomore Michael Lanphier explains as he eats some post-donation snacks.
When the Red Cross van rolled away Tuesday evening, Ripon College students, faculty, and staff had donated 48 units of blood, seven of which were double red cell units. In just one day’s time, the Ripon community donated enough blood to impact 144 patients.
The next Ripon College blood drive is December 11. Many blood centers have shortages in December because donations drop around major holidays. If you have donated blood in last week’s blood drive, you will be eligible to give again for December’s blood drive. Missed the last blood drive and want to donate before December? Look up sites in and around Ripon at redcross.org/blooddrives.
The Office of Community Engagement strives to provide opportunities for all members of campus to have easily accessible volunteer opportunities. To learn more about what you can do in the community, visit the Office of Community Engagement on the second floor of Hardwood Union, at www.ripon.edu/oce or by emailing oce@ripon.edu.
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