By Anastassia Roberts, Communications Intern, American Red Cross 

Did you know that every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood? From new mothers and premature babies to cancer patients and accident victims, many people need lifesaving blood each day. The American Red Cross alone collects about 40% of the nation’s blood supply, and approximately 20% of blood donations come from high schools, colleges and universities across the country.

One university in the Southern California region that is dedicated to consistently hosting blood drives is UC San Diego (UCSD). Each May, the Red Cross Club at UCSD hosts a multi-day blood drive known as Blood Bash, which started in 2014. The Red Cross Club at UCSD invites members of Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (PHC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), club sports teams, and many more to attend and donate lifesaving blood. UCSD has been responsible for collecting thousands of units of blood, 310 of which came directly from Blood Bash.

At a recent UCSD-hosted blood drive, Red Cross staff collected 64 total units of blood. Blood products collected at this UCSD blood drive will help treat accident and burn victims, patients undergoing organ transplants, treatment for cancer, sickle cell disease and others who rely on blood products. Many of the donors who attended the blood drive were UCSD students, a few of which enthusiastically volunteered to share what donating blood means to them.

“I think it’s a great way to give back to my community,” first-time blood donor Sasha Rekesh shared. As an active volunteer for multiple community service organizations in the San Diego area, Sasha recognizes the importance in serving her community in many valuable ways. Sasha tried to donate blood multiple times in the past, but prior medical circumstances prevented her from being eligible. Still, Sasha was determined to continue trying, and she successfully donated blood for the first time at a recent UCSD-hosted blood drive. According to Sasha, donating blood to the Red Cross is a simple process that allows you to easily contribute to your community in a valuable way. “Even if you can’t see the impact, the impact is still there,” Sasha shared.

Another blood donor who supports the Red Cross mission is Yareli Sanchez. Yareli heard about the blood drive a week before and thought: “It’s just a little blood, and it will come back. So why not?” Like Sasha, Yareli understands just how simple it can be to make a difference in her community. “It's just a little blood,” she noted, “but it can make such a meaningful impact!”

“I had a cousin who had an accident and needed blood, so I know how important it is to donate blood and to receive it,” first-time blood donor Joselyne Ransel shared. Joselyne knows firsthand how much a blood donation can do to help a hospital patient in need and made the selfless decision to be a part of the cause for good. “You’re only going to feel it for five minutes, but you’re going to save so many lives.”

Considering that so many of the blood donations the Red Cross receives are from high schools, colleges and universities across the country, it is no question that every student blood donor can help make a difference.

The Red Cross critically needs blood and platelet donors following a concerning trend – fewer donors giving lifesaving blood. Donors of all blood types are needed now, especially those with type O blood and donors giving platelets.

Be the help the world needs and schedule an appointment to donate blood or platelets at a local blood drive or blood donation center today by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using  the Red Cross Blood Donor App.