Elizabethtown College students came together on Feb. 7 to donate blood to help combat the blood shortage during the annual Tri-Beta blood drive.

Tri-Beta is a national honors society for biology students. The chapter at Elizabethtown College partners with the American Red Cross to host an annual blood drive. “Donating blood is important because there is a blood shortage and there are many medical procedures that cannot be done to help save lives if there is no blood,” said Bella Gobel, president of Tri-Beta.

One of the biggest challenges when hosting a blood drive is encouraging people to donate blood. Some people may be nervous to donate or do not know where to donate. 

 “Larger incentives could encourage more people to donate as well as more advertisements,” Gobel said.

The Red Cross is currently offering a $20 Amazon gift card for all individuals who donate blood in February.

According to the Red Cross website, there is an emergency blood shortage in the United States. The Red Cross is working constantly to find volunteers and encourage individuals to donate blood. The blood that is donated is given to hospitals to be used for medical emergencies and surgical procedures. With the current blood shortage, it can be hard for hospitals to properly treat their patients.

Gillian Heyden, a student who participated in the blood drive, said she receives emails from the Red Cross about upcoming drives as a past donor. However, when it comes to individuals who have never donated, they do not receive emails and are unaware of upcoming drives. Heyden also said she believes more education for those who have never donated would be beneficial. She feels as though the Red Cross is “educating those who have already been educated.” She said more education would help resolve some of the fears people may have about donating.

Heyden was also one of a small number of students who donated Power Red. This donation allows an individual to donate two units of red blood cells during one donation, and it does take longer than a one-unit donation. During a Power Red donation, an individual’s plasma and platelets are returned to them.

There are different requirements for donating Power Red than a one-unit donation. To participate in a Power Red donation you must have type O, A negative, or B negative blood. Individuals can also only donate three times a year if they choose to donate Power Red. Gillian said the requirements and the length of the donation may discourage people from donating Power Red.

For more information on how to donate and the requirements to donate, you can visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/