UNL Homecoming Blood Drive is underway

Monday was day one of the 2018 UNL Homecoming Blood Drive.

It’s one of the largest blood drives in the state and it will be happening all week long.

Outside the union on UNL’s city campus, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank and Red Cross buses were busy collecting blood from UNL students and faculty.

One student has a personal connection as to why donating blood is always a noble gesture.

“When I was about 14 or 15 I got a blood transfusion so when I was in need it was so important that people were still donating blood so that the units of blood were on the shelves,” said UNL Student Kylie Tucker.

With Hurricane Florence making waves on the east coast, many scheduled blood drives in the area have been canceled.

“I can’t really think of a better reason to give blood right now especially with in the wake of hurricane Florence and all that. It’s really good to go out and give blood and give back to the community,” said UNL Student Tina Vu.

By the end of the week the goal is to collect 500 pints of blood.

People who donate will receive gifts as a thank you for their donation. Nebraska Community Blood Bank is handing out a free Give Big Red t–shirt and coupons for free Chick-fil-A.

American Red Cross is handing out free Bleed Husker Red t-shirts and Sports Clip hair cut coupons.

NCBB is also giving away a TV to one lucky donor and American Red Cross has a few $20 gift cards up for grabs.

“Because the red cross is a national organization we have the ability to send blood to other places when needed so that is really important right now, everybody knows about hurricane Florence on the east coast, that shut down hundreds and hundreds of blood drives and we lost out on about 5,000 just over the past two weeks,” said Samantha Pollard, Red Cross Communications Manager.

The blood drive will move to the Centennial room on the second floor of the Student Union from 11 to 6pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

On Wednesday an American Red Cross bus will be at the UNMC College of Nursing and on Friday  at the UNMC College of Dentistry.

“This is a great opportunity for us here in the Midwest to help our fellow Americans. Help donate blood here that can be sent there to help hospitals that need it there that haven’t been able to collect it themselves,” said Pollard.

If you’d like to sign up online, head to redcrossblood.org and enter the code “Bleed Husker Red” or ncbb.org and enter the code UNL or call 402-486-9414.