In partnership with the American Red Cross the Center for Community Partnerships, and the Beta Beta Chi Chapter of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Wesleyan held the first blood drive of this academic year on Oct. 26 and 27 in Beckham Hall. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed in the U.S. every day.
Asher Lipsett '14 prepares to donate his blood. Prior to giving blood, every donor is given a mini-physical, checking the donor's temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin to ensure it is safe for the donor to give blood. The blood donation takes about 10-12 minutes. Steven Le '12 donates his blood. The Red Cross advises donors to drink plenty of water and eat iron-rich foods prior to giving blood. The Red Cross collects about one pint of blood and several small test tubes from each donor.Red Cross volunteers, from left, Domina DiBiase '15 and Rebecca Rubenstein '15 assisted donors with registration. "Most people made an appointment, but we had a few walk-ins too," DiBiase said. The Red Cross stores red cells, platelets and plasma and distributes blood to hospitals seven days a week. A sign points the way towards Beckham Hall. (Photos by Olivia Drake)
Olivia Drake
Mike Mavredakis
Jeff Harder