In the spirit of the recent blood drive on campus, we asked Juniata students whether they thought it is important to give blood and what could potentially prevent someone from donating.

Molly Snyder ’12, State College, Pa.: “I think it is important, but the fact is, that a decent amount of Juniata students are involved in athletics and you can’t donate and do physical activities in the same day.”

Leah Cullen ’11, Pittsburgh, Pa.: “I think it is very important, but sometimes people are unable to but should be accepted as well. For instance, I was on medication and unable to give blood because of it. Also, I would say people don’t do it because it can be inconvenient – tattoos, piercings, low iron, etc.”

Brianne Sweeny ’12, Warminster Pa.: “I do think it’s really important to give blood, but that being said, I don’t do it. I’m deathly afraid of needles and hate blood. I got blood work done once and it was awful. However, I do always feel guilty about not giving blood. I think what stops people in general is things like having gotten tattoos, or just being afraid like me; and the weight requirement thing. Also, it tires you out, so athletes can’t do it if they had a game or something along those lines.”

Ben Wolff ’12, Meadville, Pa.: I think it is a great thing, but I was actually told by my doctors after an accident not to give blood because of how many blood transfusions I had in the hospital. But I will donate blood as soon as I am given the okay.”

Neil Neigenfind ’12, Dauphin, Pa.: First of all, I do donate blood. I don’t think I really realized just how important it is to give blood until I started donating. I like to donate; I feel really good about doing it. However, if I were to give a reason why I might not give blood is if I were too stressed out. Not one wants blood from someone who is stressed out.

-Samantha Stroup ’12, Juniata Online Journalist