The final campus-wide blood drive of the academic year will be held at eight locations throughout the university Wednesday, March 31.
All students, staff and faculty members are encouraged to participate in this effort to replenish the region’s blood supply.
Why donate blood? According to the American Red Cross, each year more than 4.5 million American lives are saved by blood transfusions. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. One in three people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, and there is no substitute for human blood.
Donating blood takes about one hour of time and is one of the most valuable things a faculty, staff member or student can do for the St. Louis region. Consider these testimonials from WUSTL community members who have donated blood on campus in the past:
“I have several family members involved in health care and know how important a good supply of blood can be, especially in emergency situations,” said a staff member of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum. “I have a blood type that can be given to many people, and the process is relatively painless, so I think of it as something simple I can do to help and am glad for this opportunity.”
And this from an Arts & Sciences junior who gave for the first time earlier this year: “I was too scared before. Now, I’m donating blood because my friend mentioned in passing that she donated as often as she was allowed. She really got me thinking and questioning why I never had.
“I’m still scared, but wouldn’t it be scarier to be on the other end?”
Appointments are strongly encouraged, and they will help speed the process.
To schedule an appointment, to volunteer or learn more, visit communityservice.wustl.edu/bd.
Blood drive locations and times are:
- Danforth University Center, Room 276: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- King Center, Medical School: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Simon Hall Undergraduate Lounge: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Lopata Hall Gallery: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Anheuser-Busch Hall, Strauss Classroom: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Ursa’s Fireside in the South 40: 3-9 p.m.
- Village House Dining Room: 3-9 p.m.
- West Campus, Conference Room A/B: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The drive is sponsored by the Community Service Office, in collaboration with the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and the American Red Cross.