Blood drives have become a common sight at MSU. Our Blood Institute, a local organization, sets up a mobile blood drive on campus about three times a month. 

“If we weren’t able to collect enough blood for three days in a row, that’s when we’d be in a blood shortage. That’s all it takes is three days of no blood and we’re basically at a non recoverable point. So that’s why it’s important to keep these blood drives up and to keep them going every single day to keep that blood supply up. As long as we keep on doing what we’re doing, we’ll be good,” the mobile supervisor Reid-Gibson said. 

Hospitals across the nation are experiencing a blood shortage.

“It’s the only part of the human body right now that can not currently be synthetically reproduced. So you can only get it from people. It’s good for the person giving the blood. It’s kind of like an oil change for the body. And it’s good, obviously for the donors as well, getting the blood. It’s a really important thing to do. You can’t create it. We can only get it from people,” Reid-Gibson said. 

Reid-Gibson also broke down the process to donate blood. 

“You go through a little 20 minute health screening. They get your blood pressure, temperature, hemoglobin, pulse. We check your arms, make sure you have good veins, no rashes or bruises or anything like that,” Reid-Gibson said. “And then over there, usually it takes about five to seven minutes. They stick a needle in your arm, get some testing samples and then you collect about one pint. That’s about two measuring cups worth of blood, and then you’re done. It’s not as intimidating as it seems.” 

Our Blood Institute offers a range of various promotional incentives for people to donate, from t-shirts and snacks to a $100 gift card. Every donation saves three lives.