Students, volunteers and community members gathered at the BYU Wilkinson Student Center to save lives — one donation at a time.
The American Red Cross in Utah provides resources and services to more than 3.5 million people across the state.
“Yeah, I come, I go pretty regularly,” Conner Brown, a blood donor, said.
Brown, a student at Brigham Young University, has been donating blood with his family for years.
“There are a lot harder ways to help people. If you can do something so easy as just giving a little blood out there, then you know, why not do it every couple of months or so?” Brown said.
Glen Martin is a lead phlebotomist for the Red Cross. He says that many donors come because they witness the public good that blood drives provide.
“A lot of our donors come in because they have someone in their life personally that was saved from a blood donation, or occasionally they themselves were saved,” Martin said.
Donating blood is painless. Needle insertion and removal only take a few seconds.
“I appreciate how they always have a really good system going,” Brown said. “It's very streamlined. They know what they're doing. It's pretty smooth.”
However, some people are wary about coming and donating blood.
“I say challenge your fear. Just go for it,” Martin said.
After an hour or so, a single pint of blood can save up to three lives. According to the American Red Cross, there is a shortage of platelets. Platelets form clots in the blood and prevent bleeding.
“A lot of people who come in and donate are terrified of needles or don't like the sight of their own blood,” Martin said. “Don't let that stop you. Just challenge your fears. And it's good. It's for a good cause because it saves lives.”
The Red Cross hosts blood drives regularly on campus.