With only eight percent of Americans donating blood, there is a major shortage of blood costing some people the ultimate price, and with 38,000 blood donations needed daily, there is a dire need for blood.

However, Lafayette students chose to make a difference and participate in the Blood Drive that took place Jan. 29.

Senior Caitlyn Horsfall said donating blood is an easy way to help save people’s lives.

“People need blood and I figure I have a lot of it so I might as well give some,” she said. Student Council (STUCO) sponsored the drive and assisted donors during and after their experience.

STUCO sophomore Mary Savala helped out at the Blood Drive and said, “I hold their hand if they’re scared of needles and I walk them back and forth after they get done so they won’t fall. I also walk them over to get food.”

Savala said the blood drive was very successful. “We were totally booked and if people wanted to do it they had to come in during passing periods and wait in line for a really long time,” she said.

The only complaint students had of the drive was the 20 minute wait.

As a reward for donating, students received T-shirts along with juice and cookies.

STUCO sponsor David Choate said The final amount of blood collected was between 80-90 pints. Only 50 people were turned away and only four passed out.

Horsfall said, “I plan on donating a much as I can and I think that everyone should. You can save three lives from this.”