DeKALB – The NIU Student Nurses’ Organization is partnering with the Red Cross to host a blood drive at NIU.
The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom of the Holmes Student Center.
Participants can sign up to give a pint of whole blood or to give a ‘power red’ donation. Power red donations collect red blood cells but return most platelets and plasma to the donor. Donors for power red donations must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A negative, type B negative or type O blood.
According to the Red Cross website, donating whole blood takes about 1 hour and donating Power Red takes about 1.5 hours.
The Student Nurses’ Organization is a group that brings NIU nursing students together to promote intellectual and professional growth.
Donors will receive a Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last and a $10 Amazon gift card.
Grace Knott is a fifth-year nursing student at NIU and director of community relations for the Student Nurses’ Organization. Knott said students shouldn’t feel intimidated if they haven’t donated blood before.
“Donating blood isn’t as scary as it seems to be. It’s usually a really quick process,” Knott said. “At the end of it you just feel really good because you’re able to give blood for use in emergency situations.”
Anyone seeking additional information can visit the Red Cross website to view requirements or tips for day of donation.
The event is open to the public. Anyone interested in signing up ahead of time can visit the Red Cross website and schedule a time slot to donate.
Additional questions about the event can be emailed to Grace Knott at [email protected].
