Ogg Hall hosted the first day of the annual UW Bucky Blood Drive Wednesday, an event sponsored by the American Red Cross Club, Be The Match and Love Your Melon.
Donors received a free t-shirt along with a pizza coupon, and also had the chance to win two UW men’s basketball tickets.
First-time donor Jenni Lien said she was nervous before donating, but the process went smoothly.
“I always wanted to, so I just made myself,” Lien said. “It’s just nice to help people.”
Sophomore Sydney Olson, one of the blood drive coordinators for the American Red Cross Club, shared that the goal was to have 180 donors per day. She said almost all of the appointment slots were full and they had numerous walk-ins, making it likely they would exceed that number.
“It’s great to see all the students who come in and donate,” Olson said. “A lot of them for the first time.”
The American Red Cross Club holds two large blood drives each year that serve as promotional events: this one and the homecoming drive in the fall semester. They also welcome donors every Thursday and Friday at Union South.
Other student groups also frequently hold drives at various times throughout the year, according to Jody Weyers, the donor recruitment manager for the American Red Cross.
“Everything we collect is going to help people, and it’s going to save lives,” Weyers said.
The drive will conclude Thursday and will accept donations from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
