After the events of Sept. 11 last year, lines to donate blood stretched out the doors of University Hall and area clinics. But a year later, the number of willing donors has once again diminished, said Tammy Parrish, a team manager for Virginia Blood Services.
"Sometimes people don't come out and donate unless there's been a tragedy," said Parrish, who has donated five gallons of blood in her lifetime. "But we tell people to donate all the time because you never know when you're going to need blood yourself."
VBS makes periodic visits to Grounds, setting up in Newcomb Hall or parking their colorful bloodmobile outside the chemistry building. They sometimes work in conjunction with sorority philanthropies.
In the Commonwealth Room in Newcomb Hall yesterday, VBS aides in white coats worked quickly to see as many students as possible.
Third-year Engineering student Shan Wu was among those waiting in line. Getting ready to give blood for the second time in her life, Wu said she has never had a family member in immediate need of blood, nor has she ever been in that situation, but she recognizes the importance of donating.
"We hear about a shortage of blood all the time," Wu said. "I know that if I were in the hospital or needed surgery, I would want there to be blood for me."
Students can donate only one pint of blood per visit to VBS. But that one pint typically helps up to three patients.
And donating blood is not only beneficial for the recipient, but for the donor as well.
"It's kind of like getting a tune-up on your car," Parrish said. "It's a good thing for your body, especially for men because they don't have a cycle like women."
Parrish added that it takes about 28 days for the body to reproduce the red blood cells that are lost. Donors must wait two months before giving again. People who have recently gotten a tattoo or have taken a trip to a country with a high risk of malaria are typically deferred for a year.
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