The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Campus group puts the fun in blood donation
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The phrase "blood drive" usually conjures up images of sitting for minutes or hours in an uncomfortable chair, waiting for a chance to give up a pint of precious blood cells. Next week, a new campus group will try to give their blood drive a transfusion of fun.
The group, Health Care Service Leaders, is hosting the two-day event in Nord atrium next Wednesday and Thursday.
In order to attract more contributors, HCSL has devised ways to appeal to all students on campus. These include promoting a competition between the Greek chapters to see which can get the most members involved, having a cappella group performances, and providing a variety of food donated by local sponsors.
"The board of members got together, weighed the different options, and after a long discussion we decided that Case definitely needed an all-campus effort," said Vivek Sengupta, president of HCSL. "In order to increase the awareness we decided it would be best to bring this one directly to the students and organize the event in Nord."
The blood drive was given the name "Resonance," in reference to the sharing effect of blood donation, according to Sengupta.
Sengupta views the event as an opportunity to get the Greeks competing and volunteering, have medical and service groups contributing, and allow community businesses to become a bigger part of Case.
"We have received sponsorships from the American Red Cross, National Marrow Donor Program, Huntington Bank, as well as Tea House Noodles, Quiznos, Qdoba, Guarino's, La Dolce Vita, Bon Appétit, and Jimmy John's. The faculty is also playing a significant role in increasing awareness of the event and promoting the cause," said Sengupta.
More than 150 T-shirts have already been sold for the event; HCSL is hoping to have the whole campus wearing blue on both days to promote the cause.
The Northern Ohio blood services region of the American Red Cross must collect 900 pints of blood every day to ensure patients' needs are met in 57 local hospitals throughout 19 northern Ohio counties. Along with the American Red Cross collecting blood, the National Marrow Donor Program will be present and testing.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health, but a person that is unable to donate blood may be eligible to join the registry, according to NMDP health guidelines.
Volunteers have been offering their time from all sorts of groups on campus, including Greek Life, graduate students, campus groups, and other interested individuals.
"Sig Ep hopes that through its volunteer work with HCSL, it will continue to demonstrate its service leadership on campus," Sigma Phi Epsilon philanthropy chair Alex Shippey said. "By challenging other Greek organizations to become more involved in opportunities like HCSL, Sig Ep aspires to better the lives of both those in need and those who serve as well. It is our firm belief that through the pursuit of our values such as leadership through service, we can positively impact our community and our university."
