On October 29, 2009, Red Cross banners were visible on vehicles and tables on the campus of Northland International University—a sure sign that willing subjects were being poked and prodded, all for the sake of benefiting those in need in the Northern Wisconsin community . . . in need of blood, that is!
Lauren Clemmens, Northland’s Student Services secretary, assists Joe Cable (director of Student Services) in coordinating with the Red Cross to ensure a good turnout. According to Lauren, the Red Cross is welcomed for blood drives once each semester, resulting in a satisfactory turnout of approximately one hundred participants. The Red Cross provides ten nurses to staff the six-hour drive, and Northland students assist them as needed—like student Julia Lindquist who greets the fainting with a cookie and a glass of lemonade to fortify them before they walk out the door.
Randy Rasmovicz, the team supervisor from the Red Cross, says that they target college campuses like Northland because of the potential for a higher volume of donations since they have, in a sense, a captive audience. He also points out that this is a great opportunity to “replace some donors who are getting older and not donating as much with younger donors who might follow through and continue to donate as they grow older . . . to fill in the gap between the Baby Boomers and the Gen Xers.” According to Mr. Rasmovicz, giving blood is especially rewarding in a way that most do not realize: “When you donate, your blood is separated into three components: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma; therefore, you are helping three patients with one donation.” Mr. Rasmovicz assures donors that giving blood is “safe, quick, fun, and the feeling of satisfaction is as rewarding as the blood you are giving.” He hopes to raise awareness and encourage more to consider helping the Red Cross by becoming blood donors.
