PNWU Students Organize Campus Blood Drive Amidst National Blood Crisis
As a second-year Osteopathic Medical Student at PNWU, Daniel Human is constantly learning how to improve future patient outcomes. Recently, as his lectures began focusing on the body’s hematology system, he and his fellow student doctors discovered a simple opportunity to make a real difference: Give blood.
“We had several lectures that mentioned the blood shortages, and we kept hearing about the benefits of donating blood,” Student Doctor Human explained. “It really does save lives, and we were learning that first-hand from experts in the field.”
“Our nation is experiencing a critical blood shortage – the worst in decades,” explained Dr. Debra Callahan, who recently joined the teaching faculty of PNWU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. Board-certified in clinical pathology, blood banking, and transfusion medicine, and having served on the front lines of the crisis, Dr. Callahan shares her knowledge and first-hand perspectives passionately with PNWU’s student doctors.
“Blood collection centers are experiencing staffing shortages and blood donor cancellations,” she explained. “Low blood inventories are impacting patient care and requiring blood centers and healthcare providers to restrict transfusion. Blood donors of all blood types are needed.”
Alongside his classmates, Student Doctor Human jumped at the thought of organizing a blood drive to take place on campus. He was ecstatic to discover that one had already been planned, and when it was formally announced, his classmates reflected his excitement. Just hours after a sign-up page for the proposed was shared, appointments for the drive were filled. In all, 54 students and faculty donated, maximizing the amount that the Red Cross could accommodate for the day and resulting in a total of 42 units of blood, which will help save up to 126 lives.
“Many of us feel passionate – even morally-driven — about serving our communities,” Human explained. “Donating blood is a very easy way for so many of us to make a difference.”
Last month, the American Red Cross declared its first national “blood crisis,” explaining that donors had decreased 10% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years earlier. As COVID cases surged due to the delta and omicron variants, the shortage intensified. It was no surprise, then, that the organization was “enthusiastic and extremely excited” to work with PNWU’s Family Medicine Club. “It was as simple as reaching out to them,” said Human. “They work night and day to help make this happen.”
“The need has been urgent, and for PNWU to host us during this critical time for patients and hospitals was amazing,” said JayAnn Chacon a donor recruitment account manager of the Red Cross’ Pacific Northwest blood services region. “The turnout of the students was even more amazing, showing so much support and understanding of the need that the Red Cross is experiencing. The gift of a donor donation is impacting lives everywhere.”
“The country is facing its greatest blood shortage in more than a decade,” explained Dr. Julie Rudolph-Habecker, Chief and Professor of Pathology at PNWU. “It is endangering patient safety and putting physicians in horrible positions of deciding how to allocate diminished supplies of blood products.”
“Giving blood is safe and so important,” she added. “So, if you can give blood – please do so!”
Donors can donate whole blood every 56 days. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or go online to redcrossblood.org to schedule a lifesaving appointment in your community today.