 Students lay in Red Cross stations while donating blood to meet the 1,000-pint goal for the Homecoming Blood Drive Thursday in the Holmes C. Convocation Center. Photo by Martin Stamat |
by EMILY MELTON
News Reporter
Appalachian State University hosted the largest student-run blood drive in the state at the Holmes C. Convocation Center Thursday.
One thousand and sixty pints of blood were donated, exceeding the goal of 1,000.
At the drive, donors were greeted by volunteers, and were asked to complete a screening process before having their blood taken.
Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock donated along with over 500 students.
“I’ve given blood twice at Appalachian, but several times at various places,” Peacock said.
He
believes giving blood is a good way to help others in need, and is
especially appreciative of Appalachian’s students and faculty members
involved in the drive.
“One
thousand pints is a very ambitious goal, and I’m so proud of everyone
who donated and everyone who worked hard to put together this event,”
Peacock said.
Many students came to the blood drive in order to help with the cause.
E. Rose Miller, sophomore secondary math education major, gave two pints of blood.
“It was
my first time donating, but I figured, I might as well [give two pints]
if I’m able to,” she said. “I’m really glad I did. It was kind of spur
of the moment. I just saw a sign and decided to sign up, but it went so
well that I’ll probably donate again.”
Abbie K. Martin, junior psychology major, has been donating blood since she was a junior in high school.
“Since
then, I’ve donated between 15 and 20 times,” she said. “I think
donating blood is a good way to save lives. I have type ‘O’ blood, so
I’m able to give to lots of people.”
Overall, Martin said she enjoyed her time at the drive.
“The wait was really long, but otherwise, everything went well,” Martin said.
Other students also had similar issues with long lines and the wait to donate.
“The
experience was great except for the waiting,” Jeremiah D. Tarney,
senior psychology major said. “I waited an hour and a half before I was
able to be seen.”
“We got
off to a slow start because a lot of people missed their morning
appointments, which threw us off,” Kate A. Johnson, coordinator of the
drive said.
Johnson said she attributes the wait to morning appointment slots being filled with walk-ins.
Many
people with morning appointments missed their scheduled time, and the
event staff took more walk-ins in order to reach the 1,000 pint goal.
Because
of this, most walk-ins were accepted; however, very few donors with an
afternoon or evening appointment failed to arrive for their scheduled
appointment.
The blood drive will also take place next year.
Currently, the goal for the number of pints collected next year is undecided.
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