In honor of National Liver Awareness Month, the St. Thomas community participated in a blood drive in Koch Commons Tuesday and Wednesday to help the Red Cross meet its need for blood donations.

While registration numbers weren’t high for the blood drive, junior Johnny McGibbon, a fitness educator at the St. Thomas Wellness Center, said he’s not worried about meeting the university’s goal of 78 donors each day of the drive.

“The numbers that register usually are not a good indicator of the overall turnout of the blood drive,” McGibbon said. “A lot of students, staff and faculty do walk-ins. This makes it easier for them to fit it in their schedule, I’m assuming. But in past years, I have found that the turnout of walk-ins is greater than the numbers that pre-register.”

A liver transplant requires about 30 pints of blood, and this need can only be met through donations. According to Sue Thesenga, external communications manager for the Red Cross’ North Central region, high school and college blood drives are important because they usually account for about 20 percent of donations during the school year.

St. Thomas students and faculty donated for a variety of reasons. Freshman Sheila Poepping said she enjoys the sense of belonging that giving blood provides.

“(I donate) just to help and be a part of something. I know it’s for a good cause,” Poepping said.

Casey Plante of St. Thomas’ treasury office said he likes the ease of being able to donate on campus.

“It’s an easy thing to do,” Plante said. “It takes a short amount of time and helps out a lot of people, so it’s an easy decision.”

For freshman Will Beardmore, donating blood is personal.

“I’ve had friends who have needed blood … and just knowing their need for it and that there are a lot of people in similar situations,” Beardmore said.

According to McGibbon, the Red Cross is most in need of donors who have type-O negative blood because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type.

The university is not offering any incentive for students, staff or faculty donors during Liver Awareness Month, but McGibbon said he doesn’t think the St. Thomas community needs that kind of motivation.

“We usually do not (have promotions for students), but that never really hinders how many students sign up,” McGibbon said. “Usually we still reach our goals.”

Theresa Bourke can be reached at bour5445@stthomas.edu.