The Zeller Student Center transformed from its usual lunchtime rhythm into a temporary blood donation center Tuesday, May 12, for an all-day blood drive. Organized by Service Squad and in partnership with the American Red Cross, the space was filled with rows of reclining chairs as medical staff moved steadily between volunteer donors.
What is typically a space filled with conversation, movement and meals, instead became a carefully organized clinical environment, as nurses checked vitals, prepared equipment and guided participants through each stage of blood drawing. Students and faculty, who signed up in advance, waited nearby with water bottles, juice, candy and packaged 3snacks.
According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or platelets. Despite this constant demand, only about 3% of eligible donors give blood. That gap contributes to ongoing shortages nationwide, making community blood drives a critical source of supply. At Archer, the annual event is designed specifically to respond to that need, bringing the process directly onto campus so students, faculty and staff can easily participate without the logistical barriers and processes that often prevent donation elsewhere.
According to Service Squad leader Margaret Shirk, medical staff scheduled 45 appointments with a goal of collecting around 30 units of blood, a goal that accounts for the reality that not every donor will ultimately be eligible. Low iron levels, recent illness or other medical screening results can lead to deferrals, which makes overbooking essential to meeting collection goals. Shirk said the structure of the event is built to balance those uncertainties while still maximizing impact.
“There is always a blood shortage, so hosting drives for donating blood is a way for anybody to get involved,” Shirk said. “Hopefully we can develop consistent donors, and if they have a good experience here, it can start their journey of donating blood long term.”
Ahead of the blood drive, Shirk and the medical team focused heavily on presentations and outreach to educate students about the importance of donating blood. She said when students understand both the need for blood and the simplicity of the process, participation increases significantly. For some, the decision to donate is less about logistics and more about personal motivation.
Junior Darcy O’Connell, who donated blood, said that her connection to donation comes from her own medical history. In sixth grade, she experienced kidney failure and required a blood transfusion during her treatment — an experience that left a lasting impression on how she views donation today.
“Without donated blood, I would have had to have another surgery and bad things would have happened,” O’Connell said. “I thought I should give back and donate to those who are now in my previous position.”
According to other students, the blood drive marked their first experience donating blood, bringing together nervousness and a sense of responsibility as they went through the process for the first time. Luciana Iorillo (’28) said she felt apprehensive before donating but ultimately chose to participate. Although she was later unable to donate due to a raised heartrate, she said it was important to help others when given the chance.
“I am a little bit scared but I think I’ll be fine,” Iorillo said. “There’s someone who really needs blood, and if I’m healthy and able to do it, I should do it to help them.”
Iorillo said that despite initial nerves, seeing other students participate made the experience feel more approachable and less intimidating, especially as a first-time donor. She said the environment helped shift how she viewed donation from a one-time decision to something she would want to continue in the future.
“I think it sparks a passion. When you see other kids do it, you get really inspired to do it as well,” Iorillo said. “And when you start doing it a young age, it can lead to something really good.”
Shirk said that while many first-time donors expect the process to be intimidating, it is often more manageable than anticipated, especially with proper preparation. According to Shirk, eating beforehand, staying hydrated and understanding each step of the process all help reduce anxiety and make the experience smoother.
“My mantra is ‘You can do hard things.’ For donating blood, the scariest part is not knowing what to expect,” Shirk said. “I know that there’s different levels of comfortability with needles but a little uncomfortability or a little needle goes a long way.”
By the end of the day, what had begun as a temporary shift of the dining hall returned to normal, and the American Red Cross processed the collected blood donations.
According to O’Connell and Iorillo, the blood drive offered a brief reminder that impact does not always require scale or visibility. Shirk said that sometimes it begins quietly, with a single decision to lay down, roll up a sleeve and give. The message behind the blood drive extends beyond the event itself, according to Shirk.
“In a world where you can sometimes feel helpless, the antidote is being intentional about giving back,” Shirk said. “Giving blood is a great way to do that.”
