The Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) concluded its second blood drive of the year yesterday, drawing more than 200 donors over the past three days. Organizers deemed the drive, coordinated though the American Red Cross, a success despite the harsh weather and a decrease in available donors on campus. The recent surge of illnesses around campus prevented many would-be donors from giving blood this time around.
The staff was forced to temporarily cancel the drive midday on Monday because of the snow storm, but the effort resumed as planned on Tuesday
"As long as all the beds are filled most of the time, that's all that you can ask for," LCS coordinator Matt Alford said. Yesterday's results were particularly successful, with 113 students scheduled to donate. The LCS will hold its final blood drive in the spring.
Student donors cited a variety of reasons, all stemming from a desire to help others, as their motivation for donating blood.
"It's just something I always liked to do ever since high school, and it makes me feel good about myself," sophomore Dan Hoagland said.
Others donated for more specific, personal reasons.
"My cousin had a kidney transplant and needed a lot of blood transfusions, so I think this is a great way to help other people out," freshman Louise Flannery said.
Alford emphasized the value of holding college blood drives, since the Red Cross relies heavily on college students to fill its donation pool. "There is always a demand, and college drives are one of the keystones of donation bases," Alford said.
As a result, the Red Cross faces its highest demand for donors in the summer, when college campuses are for the most part closed. Though a successful drive, the number of units collected from Tufts comprise less than one fourth of the blood needed in a single day for New England Hospitals.
