by Herkimer County Community College partnered with the American Red Cross to host the college’s first blood drive of 2022, which took place on Thursday, February 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall, located in the RMCC building. Currently, the American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in over a decade, which is why blood drives, such as the ones held at the college, are so important.
Information about the blood drive was available on flyers and sent throughout emails, which listed the location and time as well as a website that students or faculty could use to set up an appointment to get their blood taken. The blood drives hosted by the American Red Cross typically have 27-31 appointment slots and a choice between donating blood or “power red” which is a blood donation where most of the plasma and platelets are returned to the donor, who must have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.
Alumni Hall had been set up with various tables, each set up with an array of medical supplies or refreshments that donors were able to take. There were five stretcher tables adorned with mattress pads evenly spread in the center of the room, each for donors to use while giving blood. Donors could also have their blood drawn at a separate table behind a screen. Donors were also given a free T-shirt for participating in the blood drive, and were all entered in a raffle where one person would receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
According to the American Red Cross website, the next blood drive that will be held at Herkimer County Community College will be on April 21 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. There are currently 27 available appointments that students and faculty are able to sign up for.
Schedule Your Blood Donation With The Red Cross (redcrossblood.org)
