With the help of the St. Joe’s Biology Club, the Red Cross hosted an all-day blood drive on the Hawk Hill campus March 28.
Students, faculty and parents from the St. Joe’s community participated, donating a total of 62 pints of blood and surpassing the original goal of 56, according to Eileen Bevilacqua, RN, director of the Student Health Center.
“The blood collected, because of your efforts, will go on to help save the lives of 186 local hospital patients,” Bevilacqua wrote in response to written questions from The Hawk.
In January 2022, the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis, which was exacerbated by the covid-19 pandemic. But luckily, supplies generally recovered later that spring, according to the Red Cross website.
Victoria Sciortino ’23, who donated blood, said blood donation is definitely something that people can do to give back to the community.
“It is a way of giving to those in need because healthy students can provide to those who are sick in a good way, and maybe after college, they will continue to donate,” Sciortino said.
A blood drive on campus in March 2022 collected 55 pints of blood and a drive in November 2022 that collected 39 pints, according to Bevilacqua.
“This March’s blood drive was the highest since the covid-19 pandemic,” Bevilacqua said.
This year, donors received a $10 VISA gift card and a chance to win $3,000, but Sciortino said there is a bigger incentive.
“Maybe a family member or friend is sick, and they are able to match blood types to provide them with blood they need,” Sciortino said. “Others may do it out of the kindness of their heart because they enjoy helping people.”
Madgee Pierre-Louis ’24, a member of the Biology Club, said volunteering at the event was also a chance to give back.
“I do want to go into medicine, so it’s a great opportunity,” Pierre-Louis said.
Sciortino added it is important for universities to take a central role in hosting blood drives on their campuses.
“It sets an example for students to give back what they can and help others in any way possible,” Sciortino said.
The next on-campus blood drive is scheduled for July 18 and will run from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
