Following their first Blood Drive of the year on Nov. 3, seniors Zoe Genetos and Derek Taylor hosted a second event on Feb. 2 to help support the community. 

Along with Physical Education Department Chair Michelle Myers and assistant sophomore Zema Nasirov, they were able to collect 47 units. This translates to 141 lives that can potentially be saved. 

Compared to last Blood Drive, there were less student donors due to eligibility requirements. One type of blood donation, power reds, separate the donor’s red blood cells from the other components in their blood. After doing a power red donation, all donors are not allowed to donate any blood until 16 weeks have passed because the body needs time to replenish red blood cells which allows them to donate healthy blood cells afterwards. 

Around 60 people had appointments, and although some did not show up, there were several walk-ins from members of the community. 

“This time, there was a lot more community outreach which was nice in terms of being able to talk to new people,” Nasirov said. 

To Nasirov, the Blood Drive is very important for the community because it gives them the opportunity to help people who need blood and don’t have easy access. 

“Every donation supports another life,” Nasirov said. “When I was younger, I would always go rounding with my dad in the pediatric intensive care unit, and seeing the effect that blood donations have on children really taught me how much a single pint of blood matters to a child.”

Blood donor, sophomore Jackson Whited talked about his second experience donating at this drive. 

“I wanted to help because I know that the blood could potentially save lives somewhere. It’s a good way to give back,” Whited said. “I would recommend this to other people who are thinking about doing it as well because it’s a good experience.”

Myers also encourages those who are eligible to donate blood. 

“It’s important to donate because it’s a way of giving back to the community that has value. Any one of us could need it at any time,” Myers said.

Looking forward, the coordinators have been planning out how the next year will go without the two senior coordinators. 

“We’re looking for a protegé for Zema because she’ll be the main one doing the work, like how we have Zema now as an assistant who is learning it,” Genetos said. “We’ll interview an incoming sophomore or freshman, and they’ll take it on after Zema’s gone.”

Nasirov said that having at least two people running the drives makes it more manageable. Otherwise, it would be overwhelming. 

“By having two people, one can manage checking people in, while the other can help out with people who are recovering,” Nasirov said. “It’s important to have someone constantly watching for safety reasons.”

Myers said that after observing Nasirov working this year, she is confident that Nasirov has all the logistics down for the next year without the seniors. 

Along with finding an assistant for next year, the coordinators are also searching for a new adviser due to Myer’s retirement. 

“We’ll be interviewing possible new advisers together but we haven’t decided or reached out to anyone yet,” Nasirov said. 

The last Blood Drive for this year will take place on April 5.