Over 80 donors came down to Montgomery College’s Rockville campus last week for the  American Red Cross winter blood drive. Participants gave a total of 71 pints of blood over the two-day drive, held on Feb. 11-12 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Campus Center’s Student Activity Center.

According to Red Cross Representative David Hull, donations on Monday, Feb. 11 were some of the best they’ve had. “Monday’s turnout was great,” Hull said. “The 42 pints of blood was one of the best days at the school.”

Turn-out over the drive consisted of roughly 50 percent scheduled donors and the other half being walk-ins, which is typical of most drives held in the past. “Tuesday’s turnout was a little light,” Hull said. “That is kind of the norm for colleges. It’s really hard to predict how many [scheduled donors] will show up for the blood drive.”

With signs posted around campus and a large Red Cross truck parked next to the Campus Center, students like freshman Jordan Becker felt motivated to come and donate on the spot. “I donated at high school last year,” Becker said. “I saw a sign on campus and decided to give blood.”

Others, like the recently retired Paul Halpine (pictured), have been donors for years. “I’ve given blood countless times,” Halpine, who retired from the Montgomery College IT department only a week prior, said. “At MC, in particular, many times.”

The Red Cross will hold its next blood drive at the Rockville campus on April 23-24.

Update: Thanks to all those who gave blood last week (courtesy of the Red Cross):