Throughout the nation, more than 50,000 blood drives were canceled due to the pandemic. To share the love with the community, the WeLoveU Foundation kicked off a national blood drive campaign. The volunteers from the Connecticut chapter of WeLoveU pledged to lead their communities to donate blood safely.
Donating Blood at the East Hartford YMCA
On Sunday, January 31, 2021, 70 volunteers donated blood at the East Hartford YMCA in Connecticut. While many blood centers saw a dramatic drop in voluntary donations, the WeLoveU Foundation partnered with the American Red Cross to host a safe and physically distanced blood drive. Together, 50 pints of blood were collected, helping 150 hospital patients who need blood, plasma, and platelets.
In preparation for the drive, volunteers adjusted their diets by eating iron-rich foods to ensure they could donate and help the cause. Understanding the importance of donating blood and knowing their efforts would help save others’ lives, the volunteers were eager to participate. They wore bright smiles and were enthusiastic from the moment they walked through the door to the moment they donated.
The American Red Cross’s Experience With WeLoveU
Alissa Haight Aguda, account manager for the American Red Cross, was thankful to have the WeLoveU volunteers host this blood drive. “The enthusiasm that we get from the volunteers and your participants is just phenomenal, above and beyond. I love coming in and seeing you guys saying we love you! It’s so much fun; you guys are awesome! You guys do an amazing job. It really seems like you have a sense of community. I would encourage people who are thinking about joining an organization like WeLoveU to come and join you,” said Alissa.
“This is the first opportunity I have been able to work with the WeLoveU Foundation. I just find this a phenomenal experience,” said Peter Boucher, account manager for the American Red Cross. He added, “The enthusiasm has continued throughout this morning’s blood drive not only the people who are here working but, you know, the people who are coming into the door, the first thing you hear is we love you, so it’s not hard to figure out who is running the blood drive.”
The Goal of the National Blood Drive
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about 4.5 million Americans need a blood transfusion annually, and meeting the demand now has been even more challenging. WeLoveU hopes to inspire people to donate blood to resolve the blood shortages in Connecticut and throughout the nation. Across different cultures, social, or economic backgrounds, donating blood unites the global village like one family. For this reason, donating blood is donating love.
