Blood drive a success

Bryant students recently worked with the Rhode Island Blood Center to find new ways to increase participation at the blood drives that are held on Bryant University’s campus. Donor participation has been declining recently, and students have created an event to try and curve the donor numbers into a positive upswing.

Students felt that something needed to change in order for people on campus to actually take thirty minutes out of their day and donate blood. The same advertisements with date, time, and location have become a part of the Bryant students’ subconscious instead of a sign that springs them into action. Brief but bold advertisements that emphasized the individual impact of donating were posted in the Rotunda and outside of the Bryant Center.

“I am excited to see students coming together and helping the Rhode Island Blood Center increase participation in the blood drive especially since we have been facing challenges collecting in Rhode Island and Massachusetts,” said Cory Robinson, Blood Drive Director at the Rhode Island Blood Center, Providence.

The event focused on raising awareness and reminding us all that donating blood just once can make a difference in someone else’s life. During the event, hourly updates on donations were recorded on a progress thermometer that will be outside of the Bryant Center.  Although the goal for donations was not entirely met, the amount of blood usually collected in two days on campus, was collected in one!