In an effort to unite on-campus groups to serve the Hillsdale area, the Community Health branch of the Hillsdale GOAL Program will be partnering with the Red Cross in a blood drive this Friday, Nov. 6. from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Students will have the opportunity to donate blood to those in need in the local area. The drive is especially important considering the shortage of blood donations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This event connects communities and helps students get tangibly involved,” Community Health Leader and senior Bryna Destefani said. “The thing I appreciate about the Red Cross is that it gets people out of the Hillsdale bubble by serving their community.”
Every semester, Community Health holds a blood drive in partnership with different residence halls. This time, Simpson and Mauck Residences are sponsoring the event.
“It helps bring together students, RAs, and communities that might not typically see each other,” Destefani said. “With COVID, there are not a lot of opportunities to serve, so Simpson and Mauck are joining together with the overall GOAL programs.”
GOAL Program Director and senior Michaela Peine emphasized the need for students to donate.
“With a lot of health crises, blood is always needed,” Peine said. “GOAL hasn’t been able to get out into the community with boots on the ground and we have less opportunities to care for others, so this blood drive will do some good while also containing COVID to our campus.”
In preparation for donating, Destefani and Peine encourage students to drink lots of water, eat iron-rich foods — spinach and steak, Peine suggests — and get some rest. Those previously infected with COVID-19 virus are also asked not to donate during this time.
For those uncertain about donating blood, Peine says not to let fear stand in the way.
“Blood is something we take for granted, but we can easily give it,” she said. “It’s natural to be afraid, but people who need blood are also afraid and they can’t afford to be.”
For students who may not be comfortable giving blood, Destefani suggests other alternatives to get involved with this week’s blood drive.
“If you’re not donating, help at the tables, do temperature checks, help with registrations or sign-ups,” Destefani said.
Peine concurred.
“There’s lots of ways to do good in your community,” she said.
