PNWU Saves Up To 99 Lives With Spring Blood Drive

On Friday, January 18, PNWU, in partnership with The American Red Cross, hosted our spring blood drive.

“Someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds,” explained Red Cross coordinator JayAnn Merkle, “and there is no way to manufacture blood products; it only comes from the generosity of volunteer donors.”

In the end, The Red Cross was successful in collecting 33 units total, including four that were power red donations, exceeding the initial goal by 35%. In estimation, the donations collected are capable of saving up to 99 lives.

“I am inspired to help cost this blood drive,” said second-year PNWU osteopathic medical student and event organizer Taylor Sorenson, sitting behind the Red Cross check-in desk just steps away from a collection of donation tables that now filled the Butler-Haney Hall foyer. As she spoke, a growing number of students, PNWU faculty and staff, and even community members, gathered in the chairs before her, carefully jotting down answers on questionnaires or sipping from cans of grape juice, having already donated.

For Sorenson, the blood drive represented more than just a charitable gathering; it represented fond memories that may have been non-existent without such an event.

“My uncle was in a hunting accident when he was a young boy and lost a lot of blood, where he then became paralyzed,” Sorenson explained. “Being from a rural area, there wasn’t a lot of resources — let alone a sufficient blood supply — and if it wasn’t for generous blood donations that came from my small community he would not have made it. This is why I am always so thankful for organizations like the Red Cross and gracious donors who provide these blood resources to patients in critical need. I am just grateful for all the donors who came out for such a great cause and helped to save so many lives.”