The ISU Blood Drive is one of the largest student-run blood drives in the country. This year, the ISU Blood Drive is celebrating its 50th year.

“This year’s theme is the 50th anniversary of the ISU Blood Drive. Our slogan is ‘giving never gets outdated,’” said Katie Weber, senior in animal science. “Our goal this year is celebrating 50 years of Iowa State Blood Drive.”

Students and staff are invited to donate blood from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  next Friday in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

“‘Plan for an hour’ is what we go by,” said Aaron Lorch, senior in agricultural systems technology. “I’ve seen it as short as a half hour when lines aren’t long at all, and I’ve seen people stand for an hour and a half or more, too.”

Donations at the blood drive are kept within the Midwest and used by local blood centers and hospitals.

“Our drive helps so much with blood in Iowa. We help so many hospitals over the whole state,” Weber said. “It’s really important that people come out and donate blood. Take an hour and a half and save three people.”

Students and staff members who come to the blood drive to donate are asked to check in at the Cardinal Room of the Memorial Union, then proceed to donate.

“When a student or staff member comes to donate blood, they’ll first go ahead and go over to the initial registration room that is located in the Cardinal Room,” said Cory Bryant, senior in kinesiology and health. 

“There, they’ll get sorted out to one of the [blood] centers. From there, they’ll get escorted to the center waiting areas, and from there they’ll proceed to donate blood,” Bryant said. “Then they’ll get escorted to the canteen, where they’ll sit for 10 minutes and eat some food, drink some water, and after that time is up they’re free to go.”

It is suggested that all donors eat breakfast and have something to drink before coming to the blood drive. More specific requirements for donating can be found on the ISU Blood Drive website.

“Nearly everyone should be able to donate blood. The exceptions would be … people who are underweight … if they have low iron, if they have traveled to certain countries, not every country,” Weber said.  “People who donate plasma need to make sure they have time before they donate blood.”

Low iron can depend greatly on whether or not a donor has had anything to eat or drink before trying to donate.

“A lot of issues can change from day to day. If someone comes in with low iron, we tell them to come back in the next day, because a lot of times that can change,” Lorch said.

At the fall 2011 blood drive, 2,541 donors gave blood. The ISU Blood Drive co-directors hope to increase donations in this year’s blood drive.

“[We hope our numbers are] as good, if not better than our last fall,” Lorch said. “We would like to match those numbers and keep increasing them.”

Those who volunteer at the blood drive believe that the work they do benefits the lives of those who need blood.

“Donating blood is one of the easiest ways to give back to people,” Weber said. “There is no other way to save a life that is as easy [as donating blood]. An hour and a half, and you’ve saved three people’s lives.”