Elon University has once again been named the top organization in Alamance County for the amount of blood its students, staff and faculty donate to the American Red Cross. And the Red Cross continues to look for more donors during the holidays, a time when blood supplies everywhere begin to dwindle.
The Piedmont Carolina chapter of the Red Cross awarded the university its sixth consecutive “Golden Heart Award” earlier this year. The award, which started in 2002, has only ever gone to the university.
“Elon’s activity with the Red Cross is wonderful,” said Debbie Murphy, executive director of the American Red Cross Piedmont Carolina chapter. “Not only does the student body sponsor four to six blood drives a year, but I also use Elon students for different projects we have going on. They’re vital to us.”
But blood supplies are stretched over the holidays as all local donors – not just Elon students – travel to see family and the bustle of the season keeps people preoccupied. Anyone interested in giving blood to the Red Cross can click on the link below to enter a ZIP code for the nearest blood collection donation.
Elon hosts four to six blood drives on campus each year. Over the past six years the amount the university has given has grown by nearly a third, from 396 units of blood in 2002 to the 517 units given in 2007.
“The student body is very welcoming about giving blood. A lot of it comes from their having done it in high school or seen their parents do it,” said Lisa Bodine, a blood drive coordinator for Elon Volunteers! “They see it as a way to save peoples lives and help their community.”
Alamance Regional Medical Center is the second highest blood donor in the county, donating 400 units in 2007. The Piedmont Carolina chapter, which covers Alamance and Caswell counties, collected 8,813 units of blood last year. Their goal for 2007 is 8,855.
Elon has been able to lead in “units of blood given” for a number of reasons, said Bodine. Having lots of young and able bodies living in a small area contributes to the success, but also the demeanor of the student body plays a role.
“People at Elon are incredibly motivated to help the community in any way they can,” said Hannah Williams, another blood drive coordinator for Elon Volunteers! “It is this strong base of committed donors that allows us to collect so many units of blood at each drive.”
Article written by Olivia Hubert-Allen ’09