Blood drive challenge under way at Trabant

Head Football Coach K.C. Keeler gets moral support during his blood donation from Cheerleading Team members (from left) Lauren Crawford, Heather Records, Jessica Johnson, Keli Hefele and Bryan Hansen.

12:23 p.m., Nov. 15, 2006--The competition is getting tougher each year, but members of the UD community have been turning out since 7:30 a.m. in the Multipurpose Rooms of the Trabant University Center to help the University make it five first-place finishes in a row in the Colonial Athletic Association's “Have A Heart” Blood Challenge.

To help manage its biggest single day blood drive of the year, almost the entire staff of the Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) is at UD to process prospective blood donors.

Karen James, BBD's external communications coordinator, said that so far, the number of prospective donors turning up is keeping pace with last year, when a record-setting 873 prospective donors turned out to donate 579 units of blood.

“I think this is a pivotal year for the Blood Challenge competition, but we have a lot of faith in the members of the UD community,” James said.

The “Have a Heart” Blood Challenge at UD continues till 9 p.m., and walk-in prospective donors will certainly be welcome, James said.

“Prospective donors should feel free to walk in,” James said. “It only takes about an hour, and you not only save a life, but you get free cookies, drinks and a T-shirt, and you can help put UD over the top again.”

For BBD staffers, the CAA Blood Challenge at UD requires a lot of planning and a lot of energy to keep things moving along on a day that will not end until around midnight.

“Our busiest times traditionally have been from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,” James said. “This year, we tried to fill the early slots from 7:30-11 a.m., and the late spots, from 7-9 p.m.”

Students and staff who were enjoying the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies, compliments of Dining Services, and beverages, reflected on why they showed up and why it's a good idea to participate in this year's blood challenge.

“I like the idea of giving blood, and it's a really good cause,” Katelyn Hoffmann, a junior nursing major, said. “I want us to win. I just switched majors to nursing, and that is another reason why I wanted to get involved in things like this.”

Senior biology major Andrea Stehman said that giving blood doesn't hurt and the free snacks also were enjoyable.

“I would feel bad not donating because it is such an easy thing to do,” Stehman said. “Giving blood only takes 15 minutes, and you can help save a life and help UD repeat as CAA Blood Challenge champion.”

Catrina Cristensen, a junior criminal justice major and member of the Resident Student Association, said, “It's easy to do, and it can make a big impact on people's lives. I think everyone should do it.”

Joining students in this year's CAA Blood Challenge were staff members who also wanted to contribute to a great cause while showing their University spirit.

“I think it is the spirit of the competition and the fact that we are helping others that made me come here this morning,” Marlyn Prime, director of student centers, said. “I've given blood in all five of the CAA Blood Challenges here at UD.”

“I give blood because not everyone else can,” Robin Elliott, director of Occupational Health and Safety, said. “It's a great sense of satisfaction, knowing you helped another person.”

Christina Stape, a phlebotomist from the Blood Bank of Delmarva, takes a unit of blood from Bonnie Kenny, women's softball coach at UD.

“One pint of blood may help three people,” Betty Cowgill, a senior secretary in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said. “I like to help UD win the competition, and it's a good cause.”

Eric Nelson, a manager in the Office of Public Relations, said that he is a repeat donor in the CAA Blood Challenge at UD. “It's fast, easy and it saves lives,” Nelson said. “I guess it's the competitive spirit.”

Mary Ann Hitchens, a member of the UD Athletics Hall of Fame and the Delaware Sports Museum and Sports Hall of Fame who retired in June after 37 years of service to intercollegiate athletics at UD, said that she came back to help others and to help UD to its fifth straight CAA Blood Challenge title.

“Everybody in the UD community has been supportive,” Hitchens said. “When you hear about dwindling blood supplies, the idea of participating in the CAA Blood Challenge really makes sense.”

Ted Kempski, associate professor of intercollegiate athletics, said that participating in the Blood Challenge is a good way to help a good cause and fulfill his requirements as a BBD member.

“This is a very well-organized event,” Kempski said. “If you want to support UD, there is no better way than to give blood during this blood drive.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson

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