By Carlo Valladares
News Editor
“You’re Somebody’s Type!” read a flyer around campus promoting the LIU Post Blood Drive, which took place on Tuesday, Oct. 21, and Wednesday, Oct. 22. The blood drive was held by the New York Blood Center, which is one of the largest community-based, non-profit blood collection and distribution organizations in the U.S. Donation centers were set up in The End Zone on the first floor of Hillwood Commons, and were open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
According to Michele McCaffrey, an Account Manager for Long Island Blood Services, 185 donors, all LIU Post students and staff, took advantage of the opportunity to help those in need of blood. McCaffrey said that was equal to 218 units of blood.
“On the first day, we had over 100 pints donated. As of 3 p.m. on Wednesday, an additional 70 pints were collected,” said Rita Langdon, the Executive Director of Campus Operations and Strategic Partnerships, who was involved with organizing the event. However, she wasn’t alone. “Campus Life collaborated with LIU’s Communications and Marketing Department, along with the New York Blood Center, to host the event,” she said.
LIU Post has hosted blood drives on campus for over 20 years. “We encourage students to participate. If you cannot donate blood, you can help recruit others or volunteer to work the event,” Langdon added.
Homecoming King Romar Lyle was a first-time blood donor this year. “What I loved about it was how friendly the staff was. They were also very good with confidentiality and taking care of those who donated after they finished.” The senior Psychology and Criminal Justice major was a bit squeamish after a bad prior experience. “I had a situation when I was doing a blood test, and the doctor messed up so many times. Since then, I never liked the idea of giving blood,” he said.
Yet, Lyle now claims that he wants to do it again. “I got over the fear of donating and after I got over it, I wanted to donate again. When I found out I could only donate every 56 days, I grabbed some people and convinced them to donate.”
According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood. This past week, LIU Post helped many in need. “This blood drive has been a huge success thanks to the LIU Post students, faculty, alumni, and staff who joined together to support this important cause. We are grateful to the campus community who contributed to saving lives through the gift of blood donations,” Langdon said.
The next LIU Post blood drive will take place on Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The End Zone.
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