{"id":12527,"date":"2010-04-09T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2010-04-09T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=12527"},"modified":"2011-05-31T12:41:43","modified_gmt":"2011-05-31T16:41:43","slug":"red-cross-club-more-blood-donors-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2010\/04\/red-cross-club-more-blood-donors-needed\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Cross Club: More Blood Donors Needed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amanda Alvarez started volunteering for the American Red Cross after her two-year-old cousin was diagnosed with leukemia.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe had to have surgery after surgery,\u201d says Alvarez, a senior communications major currently serving as fundraising chair for the University\u2019s Red Cross Club<\/a>. \u201cShe survived; but she had to have so many blood transfusions it became [apparent] to me that more people need to donate when I saw how much blood just one tiny girl could need. That\u2019s why I joined the Red Cross Club. That\u2019s why I donate, because I feel there is such a constant need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"<p>A<\/a>
A Blood Drive held at the Wilbur Cross North Reading Room. File photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alvarez is one of approximately 25 dedicated student volunteers that make up the University\u2019s Red Cross Club. Each has their own \u2013 often deeply personal \u2013 reason for joining the organization and each understands the tremendous need to constantly replenish existing blood supplies.<\/p>\n

The 30 hospitals in the state of Connecticut require up to 650 units of blood a day, says Red Cross regional representative Ryan Schierholz, who works with the campus community organizing blood drives. According to Schierholz, one unit of whole blood can help save three lives. But despite the efforts of the Red Cross and other organizations, \u201cwe only bring in 500 to 550 units a day,\u201d he says. \u201cWe have to import blood from other regions\u201d to fulfill the state\u2019s need.<\/p>\n

With more than 22,000 eligible student donors attending the Storrs campus, the University\u2019s blood drives are among the largest in the state and contribute significantly to the state\u2019s blood supply. This year, the University is in a head-to-head competition with Syracuse University to take in the most blood donations, and club members are working hard to achieve their goal.<\/p>\n

Beginning Monday, April 12, the club starts a week-long blood drive on campus in an attempt to gather 540 units of whole blood at the University by April 20. That\u2019s the minimum the club expects it will need to stay ahead of Syracuse in the competition.<\/p>\n

Although UConn is one of the largest contributors to the state\u2019s blood supply, records show that \u201conly 3.8 percent of the University community donates\u201d, the majority of whom are undergraduates, say group members.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe numbers seem high from our drives but it\u2019s actually pretty deceiving\u201d says Theo Antonitis, current president of the Red Cross Club. \u201cWe could get a lot more people, including faculty and staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are many reasons why people don\u2019t donate, club members say.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn a day-to-day basis, we all become pretty complacent\u201d says Antonitis. \u201cUnless someone we know has been specifically affected in one way or another, we don\u2019t feel as motivated to donate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schierholz says, \u201cThe number one reason why people don\u2019t donate is because they\u2019ve never been asked. Consider yourself asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"<p>A<\/a>
A sign outside Wilbur Cross Building points to an American Red Cross Blood Drive. File photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Beginning April 12, the schedule for donations will be:<\/p>\n