BEMIDJI—BSU Nursing Students hosted a blood drive with United Blood Services on Dec. 7 at BSU, which helped collect a total of 44 units of blood for patients in need. A total of 50 individuals volunteered to donate blood and 39 individuals were able to donate. Five donors also came forward to donate power red cells (2RBC). During that process, two units of red blood cells are collected while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor.

Donations from O-negative donors, the universal blood type, are especially important this time of year due to increased accidents and trauma cases, a press release said.

Donors can make an appointment to give blood at www.bloodhero.com or by calling (877) 827-4376. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test and earn points in United Blood Services’ Hero in Me rewards program.

Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate on www.unitedbloodservices.org.