OSU blood drive exceeds expectations

Red Cross says the success of the blood drive will help makeup for January losses

By: Amanda Robbins

Posted: 2/23/07

The winter term blood drive wrapped up with great success.

"We have met or exceeded our goal everyday," said Erika McQuillen, the president of the OSU Blood Drive Association and a sophomore in civil engineering. "It was the most successful winter blood drive we have ever had."

The goal the Blood Drive Association had set on Wednesday was 225 pints of blood - they received 241 pints.

"Just making the goal is impressive, the fact that we exceeded it is amazing," said Matt Hoffstetter, the territory representative from Red Cross.

When this blood drive started, the Red Cross was in desperate need for blood. Due to canceled blood drives in January because of the ice and snow, the Red Cross was down to only a day's supply of blood.

"We are still in pretty rough shape," Hoffstetter said. "But come Monday, when all the testing is done, inventory will look substantially better. This blood drive will make a difference."

Experienced and non-experienced donors alike were at the blood drive. Brian Sphere, a first time donor and freshman in business administration, was waiting in line for his number to be called.

"My roommate donated and told me that I should do it too. I am not afraid of needles, so I decided to try it," Sphere said. "To donate your blood is very respectable. It shows a lot to give your blood to someone you don't know."

Sam Johnson, a sophomore in computer engineering, hit his gallon mark after donating on Wednesday.

"It is kind of cool to be at a gallon," Johnson said. "I feel like I am helping a lot. And the coolest part had to be either the donuts or the cool bandages."

Along with being a representative from Red Cross, Hoffstetter is also a donator and has given more than 10 gallons.

"Last time I donated, I was waiting in line for a donor bed and I remember being very nervous," Hoffstetter said. "But the guy next to me was sweating like crazy. I kept talking to him to see how he was doing and to try and keep him calm. The people who come together to give blood have nothing in common, but it's like being in the company of heroes."

The nurses were just as excited about how the blood drive was going.

"We really appreciate everyone who has been coming," said Eileen Behnke, the collections operations manager. "It is always fun to be here and we are always running short on blood. This has been really good to make up for the loss we had in January."

Judy Caine, a nurse for Red Cross, always enjoys working with college students.

"This is the most impressive blood drive we have," Caine said. "These students are the future blood supply. It is so calming to work with the college students and we could not have done this without the student volunteers - you can really tell they enjoy it too."

All of the coordinators agreed that if it was not for the student volunteers the blood drive would not have gone as well as it did.

"We had about 30 different volunteers a day," McQuillen said.

"Being a volunteer is a good way to help without giving blood," said Marcie Sternberg, a sophomore in pre-nursing and a volunteer. "I like being involved with helping people and helping a bigger organization."