As blood shortages grow, organizations across Davis host numerous blood drives to encourage donation
By GIA LOOMIS — city@theaggie.org
This February, organizations across Davis are hosting several blood drives throughout the month. This month alone, over 10 different blood drives are taking place with a large concentration of drives around Valentine’s Day.
Many of Davis’ blood drives are hosted by Vitalant, a non-profit blood collection agency. These drives typically take place on UC Davis’ campus, their blood collection office or at local organizations the drives partner with like the Davis Odd Fellows, a social welfare and fellowship-focused fraternal organization.
Nationwide, many organizations, like Vitalant, strive to encourage donations during this time of year. Colder weather patterns typically decrease blood donations especially due to seasonal illnesses. However, it can be one of the most important times to donate as hospitals have a low supply and high need of blood as they are faced with seasonal accidents and illnesses.
As February blood shortages are growing, Vitalant aimed to decrease the severity of these problems through a three-day blood drive event. Vitalant hosted three UC Davis campus blood drives the week of Valentine’s Day on Feb. 12, 13 and 14. They encouraged students to attend and donate as these drives are fueled by student donors and volunteers.
Campbell Lee, a second-year cell biology major and Vitalant’s student co-director, worked the recent campus blood drives over the past week. Also serving on the Blood Drive Committee for UC Davis’ Pre-Med American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Lee explained the unique importance and scarcity of blood donations especially as hospitals begin to run low.
“Blood isn’t like other resources,” Lee said. “We can’t take it from other animals like we do with insulin, we can’t make it in labs like medications, we can’t buy it from other countries — blood depends on people in our community to help each other. 2025 is not a blood shortage yet, but it’s becoming a possibility. If it happens, hospitals may have to start shuffling around patients, canceling people’s elective surgeries; It could really change a lot of lives.”
To increase accessibility and donations, blood can be donated all across Davis. In an effort to increase and encourage more donors, Davis Odd Fellows hosted their own blood donation event on Feb. 11. They typically aim to host around four to five blood drives throughout the year that are open to the public, and this was their first drive of the year. Their next blood drive will take place on May 14, with more following every couple of months.
Organization-hosted or sponsored drives really help to boost the amount of blood donors banks receive. As seen with the Odd Fellows’ drives, they speak to an audience that may not have been as inclined to donate blood before the event.
Evan Bledsoe, a member of the Odd Fellows, explained how the organization’s connections help encourage more donors.
“A lot of the Odd Fellows know a lot of people in the community,” Bledsoe said. “It really helps to bring more people out to donate and spread awareness, because they know a lot of different people and age groups which helps to increase donations.”
Bledsoe continued by explaining the Odd Fellows’ motivation for hosting these blood drives as they strive to help out community members and those in need.
“The Odd Fellows help out in a lot of different ways in the community,” Bledsoe said. “For the blood drive, specifically, they want to help out patients who need operations because there’s been a blood shortage and national crisis for a long time. Especially as less people have been donating less since [COVID-19], we really want to help get more blood out there for those who need it.”
From organizations to non-profits, there are numerous ways to help out and become a blood donor in Davis. Vitalant commonly hosts blood drives at varying locations across Davis to encourage all residents to come out and donate. Additionally, UC Davis Health partners with the American Red Cross to host blood drives and take donations. Their next drive will be on the UC Davis campus on April 10.
However, giving blood is not the only way to help out against blood shortages. Vitalant volunteer and Meghana Tummala, a first-year human biology major, explained how to get involved if you are unable to donate.
“If you’re not able to give blood yourself, the best way to get involved is by finding clubs and organizations that get involved with blood drives and events,” Tummala said. “Another great way to help out is to help educate other people about giving blood and if they can potentially be donors.”
With the blood shortages presented by the unpredictable weather of February, blood donors are more in need than ever and blood drives are popping up all across Davis. Check out upcoming blood drives from Vitalant, Davis Odd Fellows, UC Davis Health and more.
Written By: Gia Loomis — city@theaggie.org
