NEWARK, Del. – University of Delaware senior nursing major and Men in Nursing President Ben Korleski and the pre-med fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon teamed up again to propel the University of Delaware’s latest blood drive to success again on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
This was the fourth blood drive held this school year and the first held in the spring semester, which just began last week at the university. This time, Ben signed up 84 students, staff and local residents, and Phi Delta Epsilon members kept the refreshment area staffed in shifts for the event, held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday.
“I feel like today’s drive was the smoothest of all the previous ones,” Ben said. “Since it’s our fourth, people knew their roles, how to achieve our desired outcomes, and the volunteers were very helpful. I am grateful for such a helpful group of employees at the blood bank and volunteers from UD.”
Blood Bank of Delmarva Account Manager Desso Bryant credited Ben and UD senior Jessica Galway, service chair of Phi Delta Epsilon for leading the way to success. Jessica said as future physicians, it was important to team up with future nurses for this blood drive.
Ben prepared for this blood drive well, and he was on site Wednesday recruiting donors still. One of his recruits was University of Delaware student Malik Smith.
“He asked right at the end of my class,” Malik said. “If I had class, I would have said no, obviously. It was perfect timing and I said, sure, I’ll come.”
Ben’s fellow nursing major Jillian Carney, a junior, was happy to help her classmate out by donating blood on Wednesday as well.
“As a healthy young person, it’s important to be able to [do this]. I care about people as a nurse,” she said.
Among the Phi Delta Epsilon volunteers in the refreshment area were junior medical laboratory science major Rose Principe, sophomore medical diagnostics major Miguel Prysakar and senior biology major Grace Markham.
“It’s really exciting to see how many people have come out to donate,” Rose said.
“I work in hospitals and I see firsthand the need for blood,” Grace said. “We need to make sure we have enough blood products to save lives.”
Added Miguel, “I worked throughout the pandemic in the ICU and I’ve also seen where blood helps, especially with a lot of the COVID patients. It’s been definitely a struggle with backorders at times, so they’ve encouraged hospital employees to donate blood.”
Among the donors answering the call was freshman Reagan Marr, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science. This was her first time donating blood.
“My mom has an old student of hers who needs a liver transplant. So, I want to know my blood type just in case I were to match with him and donate part of my liver,” Reagan said. “He was an amazing student and my mom loves him. Of course, I would do anything to help him. He’s an amazing guy.”
Reagan’s friend, fellow UD student Jillian Condi, also donated on Wednesday.
“My dad always gives blood and so does my aunt,” Jillian said. “I kind of always wanted to give blood because I know it really does help a lot of people. I’m really glad I could give today.”
UD junior sports health major Jacqueline Callahan and junior exercise science major Michelle Bertram have both been donating blood for a few years. They donated together at Wednesday’s drive held in UD’s Perkins Student Center.
“If it’s available, I say why not?” Jacqueline said.
“I just think it’s really cool and awesome,” Michelle said. “There’s really nothing else to it. If I can, why not?”
University of Delaware freshman Kelsi Bowers was picking up her order from Dunkin when she saw the sign for the blood drive in the main hallway of the Perkins Student Center.
“I was like, oh cool! I just had bloodwork done and knew I was good to go,” Kelsi said.
For junior communications major Allison Jordan, donating at campus blood drives has been a habit since freshman year.
“Every time you guys ask me to come back, I’m more than happy to come back,” Allison said. “My sister [Sarah] donated to Be the Match and she actually saved someone’s life, a man who had cancer. Now, he has a family and gets to see his kid grow up. I just think donating is a great cause.”
Last but not least, UD medical laboratory science major Shane McGarry donated because it was a “homework assignment” for one of his courses. By the way, it was good to see Shane again, as he previously worked in BBD’s Component Lab.
Thank you, all.