Jana Bonghi and Erica Browne, both students in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at GW, had the same idea at about the same time -- the GW community and the country at large were facing a major problem, a critical shortage of blood supplies.
Student Nurses Association President Bonghi said she found out about the shortage from INOVA, the leading health provider in Northern Virginia near the GW Nursing program’s Ashburn campus. She said, “All over the nation right now there’s a blood shortage. It’s really important to educate our students especially if they are going into the medical field. There is a need all over the country and in our own community.”
Browne learned about it from an article in the New York Times last winter. It explained that donations were down because so many people were too sick with COVID-19 to donate.
“Medical staff were having to choose who gets blood and the president of the American Red Cross said it was the most difficult time in 30 years,” said Browne who turned to Karen Drenkard, GW Nursing associate dean for clinical practice and community engagement, who was already in discussions with Bonghi about organizing a drive.
“She said, ‘Go for it. Why don’t you two work together to make it possible,’” said Bonghi.
With the help of GW Nursing staff, they sent out emails, put flyers up around campus, and connected with INOVA blood services, which provided a QRS link for donors, hospital beds and equipment for blood tests. They set up in Enterprise Hall where the blood drive was held March 31. More than fifteen students and faculty volunteers helped people register, take vitals, and test for iron and blood sugars to make sure donors were safe.
“People were ready to sign up even before the notices went out. The list was already full because everyone was like willing through word of mouth to get involved and donate,” said Bonghi. “Afterward, [blood donors] hung out a little bit in the lobby to make sure they were okay before driving home.”
“The students recruited nearly 50 blood donors from the school of nursing community (students, faculty and staff), including donors who were walk-ins,” said Drenkard. “That blood was then made available to local hospitals in the northern Virginia and DC region. The students are already shining as nursing leaders!"
Browne said, “It was important for it to [happen on the Ashburn campus] to help the community, because at GW, as nursing students, they always tell us you’re the most trusted profession,” she said. “You have to make sure it’s not just about what happens in the hospital, but what happens in the community,” she said. “There’s always that emphasis, so it was exciting putting that into action.”
Both Browne and Bonghi said there are plans to make blood drives a regular occurrence each semester. Bonghi recently graduated from the Accelerated B.S.N. program in May, Browne graduates in December.