BY BRYAN LUIS // MAY 2, 2013 //

Various members of the Curry community often give something of themselves to those in need. On Tuesday, April 30, that something was many pints of blood.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross came to campus Tuesday to collect blood. In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings April 15, when 264 people were injured and three were killed, Curry students, faculty and staff came out to help the Red Cross restock its blood supplies.

The international organization supplies 40 percent of the blood and blood products to medical facilities throughout the world, according to it website. Less than three percent of the U.S. population donates blood annually.

Sophomore communication major James Carroll said the process was slow at first, taking about 40 minutes, but “once the needle was in it took 7 to 10 minutes.”

Sophomore nursing major Megan Bernardino called the process of donating blood “quick and painless,” noting that it takes a bit of time for paperwork to be filled out and for safety procedures to be followed. This was the fourth time Bernardino has donated blood.

Red Cross mobile unit assistant Jon Schaffer said he was happy with the turnout at Curry, and encouraged people to become regular donors.