LifeLine Blood Services collected blood donations at the Carl Grant Events Center on Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 1-5 p.m. as one stop in the annual Battle of the Colleges Blood Drive.
Union competes alongside four other west Tennessee colleges—Jackson State Community College, University of Memphis Lambuth, TCAT Jackson and Lane College—to raise the most donations in each blood drive. The competition has run for the past four years, and Union University won in 2020.
“We figured it would be fun to give a competition, but of course the most important reason to give blood is to save lives,” said Laura Jenkins, a recruiter for LifeLine Blood Services. “Between everybody, we saved about 300 lives last year. COVID was last year, so therefore we didn’t get to save as many people as we have the previous years. I’m hoping those numbers will be back up where they need to be.”
At least 47 individuals—mostly students—donated at the LifeLine Bloodmobile on Wednesday after undergoing a physical examination.
“My experience was super smooth. It took a while to get checked in, but the actual donating did not take long at all. The staff were super friendly and calming as well,” said Anna Kangas, a sophomore nursing major. “I decided to donate because I am able to donate, and I know there’s always a need for blood.”
In June, the American Red Cross reported an ongoing severe blood shortage across the United States due to a 10% increase in demand from trauma centers. Jennifer Chicantek, health records coordinator for health services, emphasized the high demand in west Tennessee and that “we always need more blood.”
“I tell them that somebody in their family, one day, may need the blood. You have to think of it that way. Just try to think of it in a positive way while you’re here to donate,” Jenkins said.
Anyone can add to the competition total by donating at the LifeLine Blood Services center through Sept. 30 and mentioning Union University. The center is located at 183 Sterling Farm Drive, Jackson, TN 38305, and it is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
