UConn Blood Drive Exceeds Expectations

The UConn Blood Drive, sponsored by the UConn Red Cross Club, ran from Oct. 3 through Oct. 7 in the Wilbur Cross Building and "it was definitely a success and exceeded expectations," according to Tanya Brinkman, the account manager for Blood Services for the Connecticut Region Red Cross.

The blood drive goal was to collect 120 units of blood per day, for a total of 600 in the week. The final total surpassed the goal, with 711 units of blood donated.

"We surpassed our goal every day," Brinkman said.

Thursday was the most productive day of the drive, with a total of 157 units of blood collected. Wednesday had 152 collected, Tuesday had 141, Friday had 138 and Monday had 123.

"I've never done it before, but I like the idea that I'm going to help someone," said Brian Wong Won, a 1st-semester biological sciences major, who donated Friday afternoon. "It was cool, and I was able to learn a lot by talking to the staff."

"I wanted to be able to help people, and have the self gratification of knowing that I could save someone's life," said Madeline Green, a 1st-semester undecided major, who was also donating for the first time.

According to the American Red Cross' blood donation web site, givelife.org, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and almost 5 million people receive a blood transfusion every year. Yet, only 5 percent of the United States population donates blood, and live donations are the only acceptable source of blood.

"It took a while for me because I didn't drink a lot of liquids before, but it was an OK experience," Green said. "I am not particularly fond of needles, however it is worth it to give blood, and I will most definitely donate again."