SUNY Canton Holds ‘Blood Drive 101’ with the American Red Cross Sept. 26

SUNY Canton will hold its 101st American Red Cross blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27 in the Richard W. Miller Center, room 212.

The Red Cross informed the college that it will surpass its 100th collection event this year. SUNY Canton officials and campus health advocates appreciated the term “Blood Drive 101,” as it signifies a milestone achievement and plays to the theme of a credit-bearing college course number.

“We’ve set a goal of reaching 101 on-campus donors during the two-day drive,” said Farren C. Lobdell, the college’s Wellbeing Programs & Initiatives director. “All blood types are needed during this national blood shortage, with a continued emphasis on Type 0 donations.”

The event is co-sponsored by the Alpha Chi Omicron, Inc. sorority, according to Lobdell.

The Red Cross distributes blood supplies to about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers in the U.S. SUNY Canton has seen more than 4,400 donors, including more than 1,400 first-time donors, during its previous 100 drives. The events have collected approximately 4,289 units of blood. Each unit can save one life or more.

Appointments are strongly encouraged for the on-campus blood drive. Sign up through the American Red Cross website or the Blood Donor app. Online students, remote faculty, family, and friends can also participate in the college’s virtual blood drive by scheduling their donation through the college’s unique link. Virtual appointments allow participants to donate at any Red Cross drive in the United States.

According to a HealthDay News article, climate-related disasters have stymied blood collection efforts, and a summer shortfall has increased scarcity. The national blood supply has dropped nearly 25% since August.