U.Va. ROTC Students Hold Blood Drive for Vets, Military and Their Families

An ROTC cadet and University of Virginia nursing student has organized a blood drive to benefit the Armed Services Blood Program. It will be held Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Newcomb Hall Ballroom.

Kaitlyn McQuade, a fourth-year student in the School of Nursing from Patterson, N.Y., organized a similar blood drive last year.

“Donating blood to the military is something that I am passionate about, because it is a way to give to those who serve our country,” she said. “I can’t just walk away from a situation when I know that I have the ability to make a difference.

“On a personal level, this is something I am passionate about because upon graduation I will be in the Army as a second lieutenant, registered nurse.”

McQuade said the military needs the blood not just to treat active-duty personnel, but also their families and veterans. She said that while the military tries to satisfy all its blood demands within the forces, if there is more demand than supply, the military has to purchase blood from civilian hospitals.

While McQuade has been the driving force behind the drive, it is a joint service event being sponsored by all three ROTC programs at U.Va. – Army, Navy and Air Force.

“I asked for volunteers from all three services to help the day of the drive with set up, getting people signed in, clean up and organizing throughout the day,” McQuade said.

Community members may donate and there will be free parking passes for the Central Grounds Garage for the first 50 community donors.

Donors can get more information about the blood drive and make an appointment in advance by clicking here.

Media Contact

Matt Kelly

Office of University Communications