Humber College held their annual blood drive on Thursday at Lakeshore Campus.
The blood drive was hosted by the Canadian Blood Services and was located in the A building, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration, and the donation was open to students, staff and residents.
The blood drive was able to collect 67 units of blood from students, staff and residents, potentially saving 201 lives, according to Josie de Leon, the Canadian Blood Services event coordinator.
Ana Luiza De Assis, an international bachelor of commerce student from Brazil, has donated twice a year since 2012. “My university does the same thing in Brazil, but the structure here is really good. Everyone keeps you informed.”
Donor Care Associate Johnny Ruthraraj states the Canadian Blood Services is always looking for potential donors who have O negative blood, which is considered to be universal and can be transfused to any patient.
Sabat Ismail, a third-year paralegal student, has donated blood twice at Humber College and finds the blood drive on campus to be convenient, as she’s been meaning to make an appointment but hasn’t been able to donate due to moving and midterm exams.
Humber College usually holds their annual blood drive during the fall semester but was moved earlier during the winter semester on the midterm week.
Zyed Hafeez, a second-year police foundation student, who has been volunteering since he started his post-secondary program at Humber College, likes to volunteer for the blood drive because of the people he interacts with.
Hafeez also says over the two years of volunteering he has witnessed more people encouraged to donate blood.
Canadian Blood Services are finding new ways to inspire new donors with a goal of obtaining 100,000 donors for 2018.
