Donating blood is a uniquely human activity that doesn’t take much time, helps other people, and performs a valuable community service, organizers of the annual October UCCS Blood Drive say.
This year’s blood drive is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 27-29 in University Center 116 and will be conducted in cooperation with Bonfils Blood Center. For organizer Mathew Roesemann, budget analyst, Budget and Planning Office, the decision to donate blood is a simple one.
“Every day, someone needs blood,” Roesemann said recently. “It could be the result of an accident, cancer, an immune deficiency disease or a hundred other reasons. As a species, we are unique in our ability to help others in such a direct way.”
For co-organizer Ida Dilwood, director, Office of Disability Services, the once-abstract issue of blood donation became real when her infant son needed surgery and a transfusion.
“I am happy to let people know why I am so passionate about helping with the blood drives, ” Dilwood said. “Our son is now about to turn seven years old! Time flies, but every time I give blood I think of him. Donating really does save lives.
To donate, faculty, staff and students can set an appointment by visiting http://bonfils.org and entering code A390. Walk-ins will also be accepted. The website contains information about who can donate and information about how donated blood products are used.
Last year’s drive netted 164 pints of blood, enough to save the lives of 500 people, Roesemann said. He and Dilwood hope to exceed that total this year and to help more people survive a health challenge.
Dilwood and Rosemann are continuing a UCCS tradition that can be traced to the mid-1980s when former accounting supervisor Juan Garcia dressed as Count Dracula and personally visited offices to encourage donations. Later, Gayanne Scott, assistant vice chancellor for finance and human resources, Administration and Finance, continued the tradition. She has personally donated more than seven gallons of blood.
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