By Laila Casiano | Staff Writer

Arkansas State University hosted a blood drive at the LTC Frederick C. Turner, Jr. Military Science Building on Nov. 1, starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m.

The blood drive was in partnership with the ROTC and NYIT. The drive’s goal was collecting 25 units of blood. 

Jerrica Fox, an accountant manager for the Poplar Bluff district of the American Red Cross foundation, said the A-State blood drive collected 28 units and had over 30 donors attending. 

“I encourage everyone to at least try it once. You may have a friend or family member that may rely on a blood donor and it only takes 30 minutes of your day. You can dedicate that time to possibly saving someone’s life,” Fox said.

Fox added that in recent years, the foundation has been in need of Type O donors and encouraged anyone with Type O blood to donate. 

“If not today, donate at the nearest blood drive to you,” said Fox.

To be a donor, one has to be 17 years or older and at least weigh 110 pounds. More information on the specific height and weight of a person can be found on their website at RedCrossBlood.org, under the donor requirement tab.

Information on what can qualify or disqualify one as a potential donor can be found on their website. 

Carl K. Valentine, a Jonesboro native, gave blood at the drive.

“I give blood every eight weeks. I’m doing my best to help,” Valentine said.

“It’s great to give back to the community and also to get some exposure to what the Red Cross stands for,” said Mckenzie Dwyer, a volunteer for the Red Cross foundation and student at the NYIT, from Tennessee. “It’s a special thing, being able to give somebody life, so I think giving blood personifies that.”

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