The American Red Cross sent nurses to the SURC on Wednesday, April 27, to aid in the blood drive run by SLICE (Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement). CWU students, staff and broader Ellensburg community members alike made appointments to donate their blood to hospital patients in need of transfusion. 

Donors arrived at SURC 137, either by appointment or walk-in, and were laid down by Red Cross nurses to give one pint of blood. After they were done, donors were revitalized with snacks and water while waiting 15 minutes to ensure there were no complications before being cleared to leave.

Esther Vuong, a second-year Elementary Education major, volunteered at the snack table. She said she has donated blood before, but it “didn’t work well” for her. Still wanting to help out, she instead donated her time. Vuong volunteered at blood drives in high school, but this was her first time volunteering at CWU.

Aidan Cadigan, a fourth-year music education major, had never donated blood before, but decided to go ahead with it despite not being “a fan of needles” because they wanted to help the community. 

“The QR code [to sign up] was a bit confusing, so that took me a second. And then, for me, I’m not a fan of needles at all, so it was just a big thing of, ‘as soon as I get on that chair, I’m looking at the ceiling, the direct opposite way, and I am not turning my head, no matter what happens,’” Cadigan said.

Despite neither of them speaking to one another, Vuong and Cadigan shared the same sentiment regarding the “welcoming environment” that the staff created for volunteers and donors alike. 

Vuong said, “It is just a very welcoming environment, you’re supported through every step.” 

Similarly, Cadigan said, “I thought it was gonna be a lot more clinical. Like, you know how sometimes you walk into a hospital and it’s real depressing? It’s really nice here. It’s kinda just a chill environment. They’re making sure everybody’s taken care of.”