Volunteers from UNC and the community will hold a blood drive Tuesday at the Dean Smith Center, in conjunction with the Red Cross. They hope to collect over 800 pints of blood.
Someone who knows the importance of these blood drives is Robin Cyr. After suffering from an internal bleed last year, Cyr was in need a blood transfusion. But because of her blood type it was hard for her doctors to find a match. She remembers the agony of waiting.
“When you’re laying there worrying about getting stable to the point where you can have the procedure done so that you know you’re going to recover and be okay, that uncertainty was, I think, the most unnerving feeling I’ve ever experienced,” said Cyr.
If it weren’t for a blood donation, Cyr wouldn’t have been able to have an essential surgery.
“Whoever donated the blood that had the antibody match for me they really did save my life,” said Cyr.
According to Annette Prause from the Red Cross, blood donations are especially needed in the summer. About 20% of Red Cross blood donations come from high schools.
The goal for Tuesday’s blood drive is 830 pints of blood, but Prause said 1000 pints would be even better.
Just one blood donation can save up to three lives, like Cyr’s. After her surgery, she had a second blood transfusion.
“It was an incredible feeling to lay there watching the drips come down out of that bag because I could actually feel life coming back into my body and it was after that second transfusion that I knew I was going to be okay and be able to go home,” said Cyr.
If are unable to donate or just too needle shy, you can still can help.
“Whatever you can do, whether it’s volunteer your time, advertise, help promote or donate please do it,” said Cyr, “And to all of those that do donate, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heat.”
The blood drive will run from 7 am to 6 pm at the Smith Center on Tuesday.
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