By Sandy Shirey

“We’re nurses. We care.”

This was the overwhelming feeling at the annual Ohio University Nursing Students’ two-day blood drive.  Professor of Nursing Lacey Douglas expressed the caring approach to collecting blood as she welcomed hundreds of students who came in to donate.    

The University’s Ping Center was abuzz with excitement for the Monster Mash Blood Bash, with Halloween decorations, special t-shirts, an array of food for the donors and general excitement in the gym.

Ally Ogi, senior in the Nursing Program, explained that all nursing seniors participated in the planning and staging of the event on the Ohio University campus.

“It involves a lot of planning by the entire senior class,” Ally said. “We split into groups, everyone had a job. We went to businesses to get donations. Dominos and Texas Road House gave food, and we had lots of donations,” she added.

The students are supervised and encouraged by faculty members, Professors of Nursing Liza Harper and Lacey Douglas.

When asked why the nursing students do this, Ally replied, “For the greater good. There are so many people that need blood. If people from the community can make a donation and save three lives, that is awesome!”

The nursing students also urge community members to come in and donate. The two-day drive was promoted at homecoming, and with all of the Health Sciences and Professions. The College of Business also promoted around campus, and the Army ROTC participated as well, Ally said.

Lacey Douglas, Professor of Nursing, sat at the highly-decorated reception table, welcoming donors. Douglas explained this is a required Senior project for the Senior Class in the School of Nursing. Each of the 124 seniors participates, she added.

The two-day drive yielded more than 200 units of blood, with the potential to save and extend the lives of more than one person per donation.

As she welcomed donors with a smile, organizer Mia Roberto exclaimed, “We welcome the donors and we’re very grateful for the turnout!”