iPod giveaway attempts to draw in blood donors

Jake Essig displays the iPod touch to be given away. (Photo by Michelle Embree)

Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Joe Mertz Center sponsored a Red Cross blood drive. The event was organized by sophomore JMC staff member Brittany Rooze.

According to JMC records, over 80 people came to donate blood, 71 units of blood were collected and approximately 10 people, in addition to the JMC staff, volunteered in other ways.

The units from this drive could potentially save 213 lives.

JMC entered student donors in an iPod touch giveaway in an attempt to receive more donations.

Red Cross worker Andi Freeman stands at the ready with her blood drawing equipment. (Photo by Michelle Embree)

Junior Jake Essig served as the liaison between the student body and Red Cross, working to find an incentive to entice more students to donate.

Red Cross agreed to distribute free passes for the Haunted Cave to all who came to donate blood.

Essig also was the contact with the donor of the iPod touch, Macdonald Insurance. Essig said the owners of the company “saw the need and just wanted to help out.”

JMC noted a significant increase in the number of donors for this blood drive.

“Whether it’s the iPod or by chance, we don’t know,” Essig said.

Volunteering time was another way for those who do not give blood to help out. Volunteers assisted donors by helping them sign in, serving refreshments and being available for support.

Junior Stacie Cressman said she volunteers her time at blood drives since her low iron renders her ineligible to donate blood.

“Since I can’t help the other way, I’m still helping the best that I can,” she said.

The next JMC sponsored blood drive will be Wednesday, Nov. 14.