By: Sharonne Hayes

“I know it’s a common fact that blood is needed every 2 seconds for someone,” said Caroline Quevado, a sophomore at UNC Charlotte. “At one point, my mom was in that situation.”

Caroline says she was in middle school when she and her family suddenly found themselves in a scary situation after Caroline’s mother abruptly passed out and needed multiple blood transfusions due to complications with anemia.

“I remember very vividly her getting blood, multiple instances – I think she received about five pints,” said Caroline. “Ever since that moment, I realized that if people didn’t donate, my mom wouldn’t be here…And I love my mom! She’s one of the most important people in my life.”

Caroline, with her beloved mother and other patients like her in mind, joined hundreds of students at UNC Charlotte for their annual ‘49ers for Life’ Spring Blood Drive at the Popp Martin Student Building on campus.

This year’s drive collected over 220 units and remains the school’s largest student-organized blood drive, bringing students together with staff and the Charlotte community in the hopes of watering the soil of compassionate blood giving.

“Ever since that moment [with my mom], I made a promise within myself to keep donating when I can,” said Caroline.

A few seats over, Robert Monaco made a Power Red donation, saying his ‘why’ is a direct extension of the boundless compassion and kindness shown by his grandfather to so many others.

“My grandpa used to give blood all the time,” said Robert. “He was a really friendly guy who used to give people gifts when he could….Overall, just a positive fellow who wanted everyone to live their best lives. And I do feel that’s why he gave blood – so everyone could live their best lives.”

Robert, a senior at UNC Charlotte, says his grandfather recently passed so there is an emotional connection to his giving, along with the knowledge that blood donations are a gift of life to those facing uncertainty.

“I know a lot of people in the world that rely on blood transfusions to keep living,” said Robert. “I want to honor my grandfather’s legacy, and I also feel like [giving blood] values everybody around me by doing this.”

That’s why Robert decided to potentially double the impact of his giving by rolling up his sleeves for his first Power Red donation.

…But what does it mean to donate a Power Red?

“Power Reds are so important because it helps us maintain the inventory levels for the most important blood types – the types that the hospitals need most for patients in need,” said Angela Powley, Regional CEO of Biomedical Services, American Red Cross Greater Carolinas.

A Power Red is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow a blood donor to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation, while returning your plasma and platelets to you. Blood is drawn from one arm through an automated process; the machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm.

Blood donors – particularly those with certain blood types such as type O, A - , and B - – are encouraged to give Power Reds because the units are regularly used by hospitals in emergency situations, and help ensure and maintain a stable and diverse blood supply.

During a Power Red, blood is drawn from one arm through an automated process. The machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm.

“It’s always important to give blood because the need is constant,” said Powley, who rolled up her sleeves to donate on campus.  “You can’t produce this in a factory – it has to come from someone being willing to donate.”

With over 200 blood donations – dozens of which were Power Red – students like Caroline and Robert at UNC Charlotte underline the importance of students and youth in the effort to continue connecting our most vulnerable patients in need with lifesaving blood.

“You see the overall picture of everything and you see the need for it – because you never know who’s going to need it,” said Caroline. “You never know if it’s a friend or family member or even a neighbor or the random stranger you’re walking next to. It’s so important.”

With the approach of the summer season, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood or platelets now as seasonal travel ramps up. The impact of busy calendars comes on the heels of an incredibly challenging winter, where tens of thousands of blood products went uncollected due to weather.

Donors of all blood types are essential this April and May to help keep the blood supply stable and ready to support patients in need. Help hope bloom for patients in need – give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.