Blood donations have been at dangerously low levels since the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Avery Mendoza.
By Avery Mendoza
Texas Tech dormitories last week engaged in a charitable battle royale for student blood.
University Student Housing hosts the Battle of the Halls Blood Drive in collaboration with Vitalant Blood Bank, where students fight for bragging rights while saving lives.
According to an article by Vitalant, blood donations have been at dangerously low levels since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, Vitalant fell 4,500 donations short of their goal, and have been working since to recover that lost margin.
Brooke Girouard is Vitalant’s account manager for Battle of the Halls. Photo by Avery Mendoza.
This problem is not exclusive to Vitalant, which is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations. The American Blood Centers and American Red Cross put out a joint statement in 2021 urging citizens to donate to recoup the lost inventory.
Brooke Girouard is Vitalant’s account manager for Battle of the Halls.
“Students come in, put down their medical information and residence hall,” Girouard said. “After the screening and drawing of the blood, plasma and red cells, the residence hall is awarded a point.”
Students of the victorious residence hall will receive coffee and donuts, and staff will receive a free brunch.
Ashlyn Pearson, a sophomore psychology major and community adviser for Coleman Hall, helped volunteer by tabling at the entrance.
“I came here to represent Coleman,” Pearson said. “I want to help by donating, but I also want that lunch.”
Pearson said hall staff who volunteer with Vitalant for Battle of The Halls will help their hall be rewarded points.
“I donated already but I want to earn even more points,” Pearson said. “This battle is good motivation for donation.”
AJ Hamilton, a senior creative media industries major and community adviser for Wall Hall, said that while the competition is fun, blood donation is an important task.
Volunteers table at Vitalant’s donation center. Photo by Avery Mendoza.
“There are so many problems in health that can be helped with blood donation,” Hamilton said. “This is a great way to get some good done. Blood transfusion seems like a small problem, but small things eventually add up.”
Girouard said all donations will be go to local Lubbock hospitals and clinics to assist their blood shortage.
“We’re so glad that students both on and off campus are coming together to help their community,” Girouard said.
To donate blood in Lubbock, visit Vitalant’s Blood Donation Center at 2523 48th St.
About Reece Nations
