The university has partnered up with blood donation nonprofit Vitalant, and together they are said to have exceeded blood donation expectations.

Receiving hundreds of donations, the partnership has not only grown the local blood supply but has also increased the number of scholarship opportunities for students for almost a decade.

Meghan Factor-Page, the coordinator of wellbeing at Kent State, said the collaboration has been long-standing for years.

Donations through the partnership date back to as early as 2005. Last semester, 31 units of blood were collected over a span of three days.

An estimated 20 units of blood will be collected at this week’s blood drive— this is equal to 50 units, which is worth a $500 scholarship for the university’s scholarship fund.

“Predating the partnership with Vitalant, even predating the Kent State of Well-being, partnership data dating back to 2005–2006 shows 163 units of blood donated,” Factor-Page said.

The impact blood drives have had on the Kent campus has gone beyond donating blood through the local community, Factor-Page said.

“From 2005–2017, Kent State University generated $172,500 [from Vitalant-associated blood drives], which is direct scholarships back to the student body,” she said.

Thursday, Kent State wrapped up one of its four Vitalant blood drives this semester. Nineteen people had signed up to donate, not only for giving back to the community with their blood but also for the opportunity to receive scholarships by doing it.

Within these 19 volunteers, two were double-red donors.

According to ImpactLife, “A double red cell donation is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma, platelets, and white cells to you.” 

Jacob Smith, donor recruiter at Kent State, explained the significance of this round of mobile drives that took place, including the double red donations. 

“Mobiles are what we have here at the blood drives,” Smith said. “They have power machines that count the blood as two units donated. Every donation counts as units and then points that add up to scholarship money that either goes into a fund or is given to a specific student.” 

The two students that donated double red on Feb. 8 gave double the units as well as double the points, contributing to the scholarship fund.

Taylor Haines, a sophomore and Kent State interior design major, donated blood Thursday. She said she thought it was special for her to donate blood. 

“I just want to help people and everyone in my family donates and I have never had the opportunity to do so,” Haines said.

Factor-Page explained the significance of the partnership with Vitalant.

“We partner with Vitalant because they give back scholarships to students for the number of units we are able to generate and donate,” she said.

Some warm-hearted stories were generated within the walls of seminar room B in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Lifelong Kent community member Libby Tremble donated to Vitalant Blood Drives on Thursday. She felt an urge to donate, she said, and her heart strings were pulled to donate that day.

“I just recently, over the years, decided to donate because my sister was very ill and my husband has become disabled, and I feel like I should give something back for all the medical trauma they have been through,” Tremble said.

At the blood drive February 8, students could see brave-hearted students serving their time and blood and patiently waiting in the donor chair for their hard-earned reward: to save lives and to save some money.

As Kent continues its amazing journey and partnership with Vitalant, people can do their part by donating blood to people in need. With Kent’s initiative to create support, initiate service, and take life-changing actions, one donor can save up to three lives.

Those interested can sign up to donate by visiting Vitalant’s website.

Riley Vickerts is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].