Students and faculty are preparing to donate at the blood drive Sept. 11, sponsored by the military science department and the American Red Cross.
“The military science department sponsors the blood drives because we feel that it is very important to serve our local community,” said Angela Haire, faculty contact for the event. “Our students, future U.S. Army officers, are learning how to become leaders and should serve as examples on campus.”
Military science has sponsored blood drives twice a year since the mid-1990s, according to Haire. They have high donor goals, but the results have exceeded their expectations.
“Since spring 2006, our goal has increased by 100 percent,” Haire said. “We started out with a goal of 40 (donors) and now for this upcoming blood drive our goal is 80.”
However, donors can be hard to find. While almost everyone will need blood at some time in their life, only a small percentage of able donors actually donate blood, according to the official Red Cross Web site. Anxiety over needles or over the prospect of donating for the first time can keep potential donors from giving.
“I’m always nervous when trying new things,” said Damon Joseph, a junior. He donates blood to “help and possibly save another’s life.” He overcame his anxiety, and now he’s one of a growing number of donors.
“I was a little nervous the first time I gave,” said Becky Rhea, a sophomore. “Needles don’t bother me at all, but I guess because it was something I had never done before I just didn’t know what to expect.
“Luckily, my best friend had given blood a million times and she told me what it was like. She went with me and gave blood that day, too.”
Rhea hopes to find time to donate Tuesday. “I think it’s wonderful the military science department is sponsoring the blood drive,” she said. “It has to take a lot of hard work to organize an event like this. It is such a great cause, because blood is always needed, and I would urge anyone to take 30 minutes out of their day to give blood.”
Potential donors must be in good health, according the Red Cross Web site. They also must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have not donated blood in the last 56 days. The staff at the blood drive are trained to address any other concerns students might have.
“The folks at the local Johnson City Blood Donation Center on State of Franklin have been really great to work with,” Haire said. She believes students should focus less on their anxiety and more on their potential to save some someone’s life. “It is nice to know that we are helping people in their time of critical need,” she said. “Help our community by coming out and giving blood on Sept. 11.”
The blood drive will be held at the Center for Physical Activity starting at 11 a.m. For more information call 439-4269. For information on donating blood, visit givelife.org or redcross.org.

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