HPU students and faculty support blood drive on campus
By Devon Wilkinson// News Editor
Every two seconds in the United States someone is in need of blood.
“The need for blood is constant,” said Maya Franklin, external communications manager for the Red Cross.
High Point University hosts frequent blood drives to do its part to assist the high demands for blood donations within the community and surrounding areas.
Numerous students, staff and community members came out on Jan. 18 to donate. Each person can give up to one pint of blood and each donation can be distributed up to three different patients.
Blood donations can be distributed to patients for a variety of reasons. Donations can benefit patients receiving transfusions for Leukemia treatment, cancer treatment, accident survivors, organ transplant patients, burn victims and much more.
“A great number of patients benefit from blood donations for a great number of reasons,” Franklin said.
Alex Bush is just one of the many HPU students who realizes the importance of the cause and put it upon himself to donate. Bush has given blood multiple times in the past and sees himself giving more in the future.
“It is important to do what we can,” Bush said. “It takes a small part out of our day but it can make a big difference in someone else’s.”
“When I was younger I was terrified of needles, so I decided I would force myself to give blood as a way to get over my fear but to also help others in the process,” said HPU senior Jessie Simon. “I still fear needles, but I know that I am making a difference in someone else’s life and that is worth it to me.”
But, for those who still cannot bring themselves to give blood, there are other ways to get involved in helping the Red Cross and the cause that they are passionate about.
“Encouraging others to give blood is just as important,” Franklin said.
Franklin also said that volunteering at the local blood donation center is another great way to get involved. Redcross.org goes further in depth on ways a person can help in either the blood service side or the humanitarian side that make up the American Red Cross mission in preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of disasters.
“The blood is being distributed faster than it is coming in,” Franklin said. “This is a cause that helps a lot of people and needs a lot of support in order to do so.”