10. Free Stuff
More often then not, the Blood Centers running the drive give you coupons for free or discounted food and activities. Things that are high on the list of college students needs. You can even get a free shirt, pushing laundry day a little farther out in the week.
9. Pad your Resume
When you graduate, 100% of the time you’ll need a resume. Employers like to see future hires out in the community building their own personal brand which should transfer over to the employee burnishing the companies image as being active in the community.
8. Hang out with Friends
Giving blood can be a group activity. Collect your free stuff and do something after, just don’t drink, you’ll be passed out after your first couple of beers, and your blood alcohol level will be artificially high since you have less blood. You can also see who gets done the fastest, under five minutes and your doing great.
7. Meet People
Blood Drives can be a great way to meet people, guys and girls alike. Who doesn’t like to see a member of the opposite sex saving a life. Giving blood usually ends up taking a little while, especially if you’re a first timer. Strike up a conversation and see what happens
6. Interact with the Community
Giving blood is not a solo affair. The community is actively involved with saving each others life’s. Give them a hand and change their impression of college students being selfish.
5. Get over your Fear of Needles
Most people have some fear of needles. Rational or irrational, it would do you well to get it over with now. To be honest, unless you have the greenest needle jockey in the world, you probably won’t feel a thing. If that fails, just don’t look at it and sing a song in your head until it’s over.
4. Find your Blood Type
One of the most important things you can do is find your own blood type. It may even save your life when you accidentally stab yourself with a steak knife. Giving the EMT’s you blood type also lets them save the universal blood type O- for those that really need it.
3. You have Extra
The Bronze medal of this list goes to having excess anyway. What do you normally do with things you have extra of? Usually, if you aren’t a complete pack rat, you give them away to those who need them. Same here, you have extra blood, and there are people that need it. Be a man or woman, and give a little life away to someone who needs it.
2. Karma
Not that I believe in it, but things have a way of coming back to you. Stay on the universes god side and give a pint of the red stuff away. You may need it put back in later.
1. Save a Life
1 out 7 people who enter the hospital need blood and only 38% of Americans are eligible to donate and only 10% do. All this adds up to needing everyone possible to step up and donate every 56 days. College students are uniquely positioned to give blood more then the average American. We have more free time and are genuinely healthier then the average American. Do what you know is right, give and save.
Check out these facts about giving blood from Americas Blood Centers
