By Mahdi Mahi
On Nov. 13 in the Music Building East Dining Room, Lehman College once again served the Bronx community with a campus-wide blood drive, open to all students, faculty, staff and local community members. Organized by the Student Government Association (SGA), the Nursing Students Association (NSA) and the Minority Association of PreHealth Students (MAPS), the event continues a longstanding Lehman tradition rooted in community service
and public health advocacy.
The urgency for these donations has increased since the New York Blood Center (NYBC) recently declared a blood emergency, citing a sharp drop in local donations and dangerously low reserves, particularly for type O blood, a universal type essential in emergencies. Currently, their inventory for O- has dropped to a critically low 2-day supply, while overall collections are nearly 20% below hospital demand. In New York, blood remains a lifeline, with the NYBC reporting that nearly 2,000 donations are needed every day in the New York/New Jersey area to support patients in need, from trauma
victims and surgery patients to cancer patients, newborns and women giving birth.
“This is one of the most impactful events Lehman College hosts each semester,” said Emily Santos, a senior nursing major. “I can see students who are nervous, students who are excited and students who have never donated before. But once they realize they’re helping save lives, you see
their whole attitude change.”
Carlos Martinez, a biology major at Lehman, said he sees the event as both a service and a learning experience. “A lot of us here are going into healthcare, so understanding the importance of blood donations is huge,”
he said. “But beyond that, it shows how powerful community action can be. Lehman isn’t just a college, we’re part of the Bronx and we take that responsibility seriously.”
Students who volunteer also feel deeply connected to the mission. Volunteers help check in donors, guide them through the process and provide emotional support to first-time donors. All donors were encouraged to bring a photo ID, eat food beforehand and stay hydrated. “It’s powerful to witness someone’s first donation,” said one student volunteer. “Their nervousness turns into pride.”
Students who have participated in past years continue to highlight how meaningful the experience is. “I donated for the first time last spring,” recalled Ariana Patel, a sophomore student at Lehman. “I was scared, but the volunteers were so supportive, and afterward I felt proud. Knowing that your blood could save someone’s life … it hits differently. That’s why I’m coming back again this year.”
Because of this tradition, Lehman’s SGA, NSA and MAPS have increased outreach by distributing flyers, visiting classrooms and speaking with student clubs. Their goal is not just to reach a target number of donations
but to educate the community about blood shortages and how even small actions like one donation make a big difference. As Lehman continues its legacy of public service, this blood drive is a powerful reminder that ordinary people - students, neighbors and friends - can make extraordinary contributions that strengthen local hospitals, support emergency care and build a more resilient health system for the Bronx and all of New York City.
“Even one donation can help multiplet people,” said student Jason Nguyen. “We want everyone to understand why these shortages happen and how they can become regular donors, not just at Lehman, but for years to come.”
“Once they realize they’re helping save lives, you see their whole attitude change.” - Emily Santos, senior nursing major
