By Danielle Sachse and Michael Moana

More than 14,000 people donated blood at UCM through the Community Blood Center of Kansas City over the past 11 years, which helped save nearly 37,000 lives, according to Student Activities.

In that same timespan, 12,266 pints of blood were collected by the Community Blood Center at the University of Central Missouri.

The number of units collected jumped from 789 in 2008 to 1,523 this year, averaging 1,224 units per year, according to Student Activities data.

“We are definitely trending upward overall,” said Kristie Brinkley, assistant director of Student Activities and Volunteer Services at UCM.

In 2016, the total number of units collected peaked at 1,806, which was over 300 more (1,494 units) than the year before.

“I don’t know what was going on in 2016, but that was quite a year, wow!” Brinkley said.

The numbers decreased to 1,544 the following year.

The two most popular times the Community Blood Bank of Kansas City comes to Warrensburg are during homecoming week and the university’s Greek Life Greek Week blood drive. During these two weeks, students are encouraged to have as many members of their organization donate blood in order to receive points toward homecoming and Greek Week.

In 2008, almost 300 units of blood were collected during homecoming. In 2018, more than 600 units were collected, according to Student Activities data.

According to a Muleskinner survey in which 62 students participated, more than 50 percent of respondents said they donate blood during campus drives, and many said they donate every year.

For more information about UCM blood drives, email ucmblooddrives@gmail.com.