The University of Missouri community came together to donate blood for the 41st Homecoming blood drive. 

This year, it is taking place during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The number of people injured, in critical condition or dead is continuing to rise, and blood is a necessity right now.

Many people have stated the aftermath of the hurricanes as one of their main reasons for donating. 

“There are a lot of people that need blood who have been in critical condition for a while,” first-year student Kennady Sapp said. “I think it is important for people who are able to give, to give because other people can use it and you’re benefiting others.”

Sophomore Sam Day is a universal donor, meaning that he has Type O – blood, so he makes sure to donate  every eight weeks.

“It’s just one good thing that I can always put out into the world for free without having to do anything other than sit somewhere for an hour,” Day said. 

Various MU organizations come together in order to promote the blood drive. Many students heavily involved on campus donate on behalf of several organizations, including Greek Life.

“[I donate] in support of a fraternity I am in, and I’m on exec for MizzouThon, [which] is a non-profit organization that is also [a] part of Homecoming,” Day said. 

From family members to close friends, people often have a connection that gives them a reason to donate. 

“My friend’s younger brother is someone who needs this blood which is why I made myself do it even though I cried the whole time before,” sophomore Jaqueline Bazzell said. 

By the end of the blood drive, a total of 4,959 units of blood was donated. This amount has the potential to save 14,877 lives and has broken MU’s historical record for blood donations. 

“The people at Mizzou are good people, and they want to help out in any way they can with any situation going on,” first-year student Will Parish said. “It brings the community together, everybody is helping towards the same cause.”

Edited by Molly Levine | mlevine@themaneater.com

Copyedited by Hannah Taylor and Natalie Kientzy | htaylor@themaneater.com

Edited by Emily Skidmore | eskidmore@themaneater.com

Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com