After winning the first four CAA blood drives, UD finished a very close second to Drexel University last year, and UD is encouraging students, faculty and staff to show their Blue Hen spirit by becoming a donor in a life-saving cause.
“The whole thing is for such a good cause,” Barbara Fleming, a supervisor in intercollegiate athletics, said. “I'm very competitive, and I'm sorry we lost last year. I want UD to win this year.”
UD Head Football Coach K.C. Keeler said, “This is such a great cause, and we are proud of the way UD has promoted the 'Have a Heart' Blood Challenge. The school has worked very hard on this, and we are glad that it has become such a success.”
Lauren Bacon, school program coordinator with the Blood Bank of Delmarva, said that despite the dreary weather conditions, people were waiting in line to register and donate blood when the drive kicked off at 7:30 a.m.
“The Blood Challenge is going very well,” Bacon said. “We were impressed at all the students who turned out to help set this thing up. We also had YoUDee and the UD cheerleaders here this morning.”
Jeffrey Quinton, a sophomore finance major who has been giving blood since his high school days, said, “I feel that this is something I should do. Some people may be scared to give blood, but the people who work here are so nice and friendly. There isn't anything to worry about.”
Aaron Yamamoto, a sophomore math education major, said, “Coming here brightens my whole day. I know that a pint of blood goes to help three other people, and I feel good inside for doing this. I also heard that while 95 percent of people will need blood at some time in their lives, only 5 percent give blood.”
“I was a little nervous, but it's really not that bad. The people here have been so patient and understanding,” Villafuerte said. “This is a great way to feel good about yourself and to help a really good cause.”
Putting together such an event requires months of planning and a lot of work by Blood Bank of Delmarva and UD staff members, as well as help by registered student organization volunteers.
“Because of the equipment and staff members involved, we start planning for this thing moths in advance. We were here last night for a couple of hours setting things up,” Marianne Lazorick, Blood Bank of Delmarva supervisor, said. “There also was a ton of students who showed up last night to help us unpack.”
To collect donations, the Blood Bank of Delmarva staff set up 30 whole blood stations and for the first time at UD, four Alyx machines which collect red blood cells.
“This is the blood drive that we compare all the others to,” Lazorick said. “There has been a tremendous outpouring of support, especially among the students who work the canteen and other stations.”
Student groups sponsoring the “Have a Heart” Blood Challenge include the Resident Student Association, HOLA, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and the Food Science Club.
Matt Lenno, assistant director of student centers, said the Blood Bank of Delmarva staff and student volunteers have really enhanced the blood donation experience at UD.
Blood Bank of Delmarva staff members Ken Hall said, “There is still plenty of time for people to come out to give blood.”
Walk-in donors will be accepted until 9 p.m. in the Multipurpose Rooms of the Trabant University Center.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have had no tattoos or body piercings in the last 12 months.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson