The American Red Cross (ARC) at USC serves an important role to first responders and in combatting many natural disasters in the area. They work with USC Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness to ensure the USC campus and community are ready for any and all circumstances.
The Red Cross also hosts blood drives, which they are encouraging students to participate in amid a national blood shortage resulting from a lack of donations. Kyle Brice, American Red Cross Account Manager, said that he is not truly sure what the biggest factor for the decrease in blood donors is, but all signs point to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Currently we are in a national blood shortage, down about 25% of our hospitals’ demand,” said Brice.
Jolie Numasaki, a junior majoring in psychology, is the Philanthropy Director of the ARC at USC and a repeat blood donor. Numasaki explained that the blood drive is something that the Red Cross club does every semester as a way to give back to the community.
“We try to have our members post on social media,” said Numasaki, and “reach out to other USC campus groups and advertise.”
Sara Leong, a junior majoring in economics and data science, is the Biomedical Services chair of the club and is also a repeat donor. Leong said that there has been an increase in natural disasters across the U.S, causing hospitals to go through blood donations faster.
As one of the E-board members, Leong volunteers at local L.A. food banks and charities every weekend. Her main goal for the club is to gain more members and have more service events in order to encourage students to participate in donating.
“I think it’s kind of fun, which is weird, but it’s true,” said Leong. “It doesn’t cost me anything except for ten minutes of my time, I know that it can save up to three lives when you donate a pint of your blood, so I like to do it for other people.”