More than 1,000 students have donated blood in the past two weeks in hopes of Penn State defeating Michigan State in the annual Penn State-Michigan State Blood Donor Challenge.
But when Stephen Johnson came to give blood wearing his flight gear, his motivation was twofold.
Johnson (senior-international politics) wanted to help Penn State win, but he was also fulfilling a personal mission.
When he was serving in the Navy in the Middle East from 2002 to spring 2006, Johnson received 11 units of blood for injuries sustained during a mission. He recovered for two months after in Germany.
After his recovery, he decided to pay back the blood that he received.
"I've given blood three times since 2002 and have eight more units to donate before I've paid back the loan I received from the blood bank," Johnson said.
He is eligible to donate even though he received blood, because more than a year has passed since his last transfusion Wendi Keeler, American Red Cross field representative for Penn State and Red Cross Club adviser said. She met with him when he came to give blood.
"He was just so positive about donating and getting people to come out," she said. "He wore his uniform to donate just so people would ask and he could tell them the importance of donating."
Johnson said regardless of political beliefs, donating blood is one way to support the troops.
"I know where the blood from these blood drives goes and feel I have an obligation to ensure that someone who is faced with a set of circumstances similar to mine does not bleed out due to lack of transfusable blood," he said.
After his experience, Johnson said everyone eligible to donate should.
To be eligible to give blood, donors must be over the age of 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health.
In the last few days of the Penn State-Michigan State Blood Donor Challenge, several drives will be held around campus, including one today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Alumni Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.
As of last night, 1,257 Penn State students donated blood. Michigan State is in the lead with about 1,473 donations.
For a complete listing of donation sites or to make an appointment, go to psuredcross.org.
