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UD meets Blood Challenge with 'outstanding' effort
5:57 p.m., Nov. 16, 2006--On Wednesday, Nov. 15, members of the UD community showed their school spirit by taking time from busy class and work schedules to participate in a life-saving cause during the fifth annual Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) “Have a Heart” Blood Challenge. Since it's inception in 2002, UD has taken top honors each year for having the most potential donors among the 12 member institutions participating in the competition. Things started rolling around 7:30 a.m., when Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) staffers began to process prospective donors in the Multipurpose Rooms of the Trabant University Center. “This year's blood drive at UD was outstanding,” Karen James, BBD external communications coordinator, said. “We are so impressed with the UD community and the administration for all their efforts.” While the busiest hours of processing were between 11 a.m.-4 p.m., James said that the number of individuals turning out to give blood remained constant during the 14 1/2-hour blood drive. “It was great, because people who showed up when we were very busy agreed to come back at a later time,” James said. “This helped to keep the pace of donor processing steady throughout the day.”
“The 'Have a Heart' Blood Challenge at UD is very crucial to helping BBD maintain the needed blood supply during the holiday season,” James said. “No matter who comes out on top in the blood drive, the people in area hospitals who need blood will be the real winners.” Jeff Whisler, an information resource consultant in Information Technologies-User Services and a graduate student in the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, said he has been giving blood since age 17. “I started giving blood because it made me feel good that I could do something to help others that was easy for me to do,” Whisler said. “Typically, I give platelets every two or three months at the Blood Bank of Delmarva, but today I came to give whole blood. Because I'm a universal donor, my type is in high demand.” Nicole Dobbs, a freshman environmental engineering student from Delta, Pa., said that she decided to give blood because she lost a close family last winter due to loss of blood. “He had a rare form of anemia, and went through 16 pints of blood in just a few days,” Dobbs said. “I came out today to help save a life.” Junior Michelle Daniel, a nursing major from Camden, said that as a nursing major, she is particularly aware of the need for blood donations. “I've never known anyone personally who has needed blood, but I know that there are a lot of people out there who do,” Daniel said.
“I've known people who have needed it in the past, so I try to give when I can,” Ruch said. “This is the fourth blood drive that I've been to.” Senior Kyle Stanley, a civil engineering student from Wilmington, said that while he has given blood in high school, the CAA Blood Challenge was a first for him at UD. “I was walking by with a friend and saw the sign,” Stanley said. “I decided it was a good idea to donate.” Student organizations sponsoring the “Have A Heart” Blood Challenge at UD include the Resident Student Association, HOLA and Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Joining UD in this year's CAA Blood Challenge are the University of North Carolina Wilmington; Drexel; George Mason; Hofstra; James Madison; Old Dominion; Towson and the Virginia Commonwealth universities; and the College of William and Mary. The annual CAA Blood Challenge began in 2002 at the suggestion of UD President David P. Roselle as a fun way to emphasize the critical importance of donating blood. Member institutions promote the event on their campuses and encourage student groups, faculty, staff and alumni to participate and support their school. Article by Becca Hutchinson and Jerry Rhodes
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