Ball State will host its first combined Angels for Life blood drive and Live to Give event today.
Students can donate blood and register as a bone marrow and organ donor during the event.
Kristine Pierce, Indiana Blood Center Representative, said this event is different than other blood drives the university holds.
“The university has a blood drive every 56 days but this particular drive is important because it’s a Live to Give event,” Pierce said. “It’s sort of a one-stop shop for donation and life-saving.”
Indiana Blood Center has about 100,000 donors annually and supplies 60 hospitals around the state.
“We rely on the generosity of our donors,” Lucy Wehking, Indiana Blood Center communications specialist, said. “They donate blood and time.”
An individual unit of blood is broken up into separate parts and undergoes 12 tests. The parts of the unit are then shipped to various hospitals throughout the state.
Angels for Life blood drive is typically successful, especially in the fall, Pierce said. The turnout for the drives in September and November typically increases every year.
“We usually have one of the largest drives in the state,” Piece said.
Kelsi Hall, a junior dietetics major, said she has donated blood every year since she was a junior in high school.
“If I have blood to give, and it will help save someone’s life, then why not? It’s important to me, and it’s not that hard to help.” Hall said.
The help that donors provide to patients might also come back around to help donors, Wehking said.
“You never know when you’ll be on the receiving end,” Wehking said. “It could be a stranger’s life or it could be your own.”
The combined donation event will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday at Pruis Hall. Appointments to donate can be made at donorpoint.org, but walk-ins are welcome.
