Track and field looks to build upon inaugural 2012-2013 season

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In February 2013, the Chatham University athletics program added track and field as its ninth varsity team, marking 2013 as the Cougar’s first ever season of competition.

Chatham hired head coach David Hodge in February 2011, and Hodge was given until November of that year to form the university’s first ever NCAA track and field squad. Hodge mainly recruited through on-campus flyers, word-of mouth and by reaching out to other campus teams.

“It was tough, starting in February, when the recruiting time-frame was well past,” Hodge said. “We recruited a lot from other sports because their physical abilities translate to track and field well.”

The eight-player squad competed in the President’s Athletic Conference (PAC) against opponents whose rosters average 25-30 players. With more players available to place in events, larger teams have the potential for higher overall scores in the meet.

While being a small team has disadvantages, many players enjoyed the camaraderie of a close-knit group. “My favorite part about being

photo credit: Chelsea Cibella

photo credit: Chelsea Cibella

on the track and field team is that since there were so few of us, we are kind of really close,” said Kaitlynn Smith, a senior javelin thrower who is also a member of the Chatham hockey team.

The Cougars competed in a total of two indoor and six outdoor meets, with notable finishes at the W&J Invitational (9th place) and the PAC South Meet (4th place). “Most of us did pretty well for not doing track and field for a long time,” Smith said.

In preparation for the coming season, Hodge encourages prospective track and field athletes to come out and try the events. “Track and field is a sport that honestly a lot of people can do because there are so many events. You can sprint, jump or throw,”

Hodge said. The team generally practices Monday through Friday, with most meets on Saturdays. For those worried about the time commitment of joining track and field, the season lasts approximately two and a half months. The Cougars kick off the 2014 season on February 8th at the University of

Mount Union Jim Wuske Invitational.

Waiting for Intermission: Review of Don Jon

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Joseph Gordon-Levitt is a very busy man: he is an accomplished actor and runs the production company hitRECord. A majority of the female population would also argue his being attractive is a full-time job.

Now Gordon-Levitt has added the jobs of writer and director with his romantic comedy “Don Jon.” The film follows Jon (Gordon-Levitt), a Lothario who thrives on the routine of his family, church and porn addiction. This routine is shaken when he sets himself on the hunt for the provocative Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson).

The film is a strong first attempt by Gordon-Levitt, providing some insight in the nature of how institutions shape our ideas of gender roles. Yet by sacrificing analytical depth for fast pacing, the film is problematic and therefore fails to take the full plunge of becoming a progressive film.

In the beginning of this film, audiences are treated to a series of clips: porn, news, sitcoms and commercials. What these clips share in common are the conservative roles of women in society. They are portrayed as cuts of meat, something to be ogled at and to keep dirty old men glued to their couches. What the film points out right away is that reinforcing gender roles does not always have to be direct, like with pornography.

Reinforcement is also subtle. A powerful example is the scene where Jon and his family watch a fast food commercial. The commercial model is scantily clad, enjoying a private moment with a hamburger. Around the dinner table, audiences see a few different reactions: Jon’s father (Tony Danza) slurps his spaghetti, groaning, and Jon’s mother (Glenne Headly) attempts to avert her eyes, but she projects her desires to look sexy on the model.

This scene succeeds in demonstrating how these conservative notions of gender are reinforced. The family ogles the model, exploits her for their own gain, and she is not allowed to look back. There is an effort on Gordon-Levitt’s part to cast light on these cultural anxieties.

His film provides a space in which critical analysis is allowed to be cultivated. Going back to the film’s opening credits, where these clips fade into static, the intention is made to both critique and correct gender notions as portrayed in the film. After such a promising start, Gordon-Levitt’s analysis crashes to the ground.

By the end, the movie reinforces the very notions Gordon-Levitt seeks to deconstruct. The character of Barbara manifests these problematic themes. Her character incorporates elements of the Madonna and the whore binary in an attempt to create complexity. However, she quickly falls into the stereotype of the high maintenance businesswoman, seducing Jon into an ill-matched lifestyle.

Then there is Esther, played by Julianne Moore, who serves as a corrective to Barbara. Her unconventional attractiveness and demand for the mutual gaze once again provides some promise, but she is then locked into the maternal archetype.

When Jon and Esther—biblical name— finally have sex, light shines down on Esther, giving her a savior quality. Such scenes make this movie uncomfortable to watch. Audiences can sense the rush of analysis as Gordon-Levitt tries to tie up the movie into a nice little bow. In short, he sacrificed analysis for pacing. I doubt it was the right sacrifice.

“Don Jon” is a good film for the sake of entertainment and lighthearted comedy. Sadly, the beauty of this film is only skin deep.

Rating: 3/5

Reprinted with permission from The Moviola

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=viz3VYp8pD0′]

Foodie on the Half Shell: No need to get Hangry

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OliviaIt comes upon you quietly. At first, your stomach starts to growl. Next, you start feeling sick that you haven’t eaten yet, and you suspect that your parents are trying to sabotage you. Finally, you begin to cry and scream obscenities having to do with Chipotle and fro-yo… I recently read an article on what happens to people when they get hangry.

Yes, I said hangry. According to Urban Dictionary, Hangry is “when you are so hungry, that your lack of food causes you to become angry, frustrated or both.” You will blame it on anyone and anything around you. All of a sudden, in your mind, your sister is purposely trying to starve you, and that lamp probably just ate the last piece of lasagna. How dare they? Well, in reality, this is your stomach talking, and there are ways to deal with this scenario.

Maybe when you first are reading this, you won’t think of yourself as ever being hangry. It sounds preposterous and a little juvenile. Well, my friends, it happens to the best of us. I have a story myself from when I was in California last summer. We had been on a plane ride for hours, and finally landed.

I had not been able to eat any of the airline meals because I do not eat meat, and I just was not in the mood for pretzels or peanuts. My family, who does eat meat, ate their silly, little microwaved airline meals, which meant their hunger had been suspended.

When we arrived, my dad, who is from California, was determined to get us to Paradise Cove in Malibu for lunch. He said it was only a half hour away. I was relieved, because I felt the rage from the lack of nourishment boiling within my empty insides.

My father loves scenery and California in general, so we had to stop at the beaches in LA and stomp on some of his old turf. I loved it because I love Cali, but I could have loved it way more if I had a to-go burrito. This took up about an hour of not going towards the lunch destination.

When we finally arrived in Malibu for lunch, the wait for a table was two hours. Two hours? Was this real? Yes, my stomach reminded me, it was very real. Me being the foodie that I am, agreed to wait since this restaurant is very well known in Southern California

Everyone else was fine, especially my of age parents who were enjoying their delicious cocktails and my sister, who was able to enjoy her nice cola. Me? I waited in agony, snapping at anyone who dared to look at me. My dad thought it was funny, but I lacked a sense of humor and told him that his drink looked gross anyhow. I didn’t want bread, I didn’t want a cola…I wanted fish tacos or something else fresh and delicious from California’s coast.

Finally, we were seated. I had the most amazing calamari, and the tacos were to die for. Jovial Olivia returned, and no one got hurt…thankfully. Guys, just bring some of your favorite snacks with you during long nights out or on trips. I love wasabi almonds, kombucha, and banana chews. If I have those light snacks, I will never go hungry or unhappy.

They are light enough to keep you from getting too full for a glorious dinner later, but not too light to leave you groping for crumbs under the passenger seat (ew). Keep it together guys–don’t let the hanger take hold of you. Fight it with happy snacks!

Correction: The article has been updated to omit a phrase added in through a typographical error.

Little Red Riding Vogue: Keep warm this winter without sacrificing style

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indigo

With the first snow on November 12 came the first struggle I am faced with every winter. Gloves, I have covered. Scarves, I adore. Winter jackets, however, are a whole other beast.

Every winter I find myself struggling to acquire the perfect winter coat. The bulky Jet Puff Marshmallow coats sure are warm, but I feel like I automatically gain 300 pounds when I wear them. So how do you keep warm without looking too bulky?

Trust in classics like jackets from The North Face. They are slimming, non-restrictive and most importantly, made to last. There is a reason why it is such a well-known brand.

Another cheaper alternative is to opt for a well-lined peacoat. They may seem like more of a fall coat, but it really depends on the type

photo credit: Indigo Baloch

photo credit: Indigo Baloch
Christina Austin shows off her great winter style.

you get. Some have a thick lining for insulation so you look fashionable and feel comfortable with the added bonus of not freezing when December hits. Not to mention, peacoats usually include a cinch of some sort to show off your waist. You can find chic peacoats anywhere nowadays, from Target to Kohl’s to Macy’s, and everywhere in between.

Finally, do not be afraid to layer up. There is a misconception that layers add bulk. Under Armour is skin-tight and extremely insulating. Also, try pairing a hoodie with a fall jacket. And never forget that you have a multitude of cute scarves, gloves and hats to add to your ensemble to keep you toasty warm.

Like I said in my first column, never sacrifice comfort for fashion. Above all, take care of yourself this winter. For those of you concerned about the lower half of your body, I suggest fleece-lined leggings, camp socks and leg warmers.

Leggings are the new inescapable trend, and you don’t have to ditch them just because it’s getting colder. You can get a fleece-lined pair at your nearest Target and enjoy the comfort and versatility of your leggings all throughout the winter.

Camp socks are cotton ragg socks that you can find at J. Crew or LL Bean. They come in a variety of colors and will be the warmest pair of socks you have ever owned. They can weather any condition, hence the name “camp socks.”

Finally, embrace your inner 80s chick and bust out some leg warmers. They might seem like a retro fashion statement with little purpose, but those babies will keep snow and slush from getting on your ankles or into your shoes for those days when you don’t feel like suiting up with a pair of snow boots.

So slip on your fingerless gloves, get something hot to drink at Café Rachel and embrace the snow!

Chatham alumna returns to alma mater as a professor

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“I am excited every day to come to work,” said Nichole Bayliss, a psychology professor and Chatham University graduate. Originally from a small town in Michigan, Bayliss knew Chatham was the right choice for her when she left her small high school to attend a small college.

One aspect that swayed her decision in Chatham’s favor was the school’s emphasis on social justice. The first time Bayliss saw the campus was the day she moved in her freshman year.

She began her journey on Chatham’s campus with the intention of achieving a pre- med degree, but once she took psychology 101, she altered her dreams. She felt psychology was more relatable to society and allowed for more individual interactions. Changing her major from pre-med to psychology, her focus turned to gender social issues with women’s studies as her minor.

After graduation, Bayliss took two years off before beginning her master’s degree. Utilizing her Chatham connections, she found a position at Veterans Affairs (VA). She worked there for two years and continued her work there when she began her masters in sociology at the University of Pittsburgh.

photo courtesy of Nichole Bayliss

Bayliss with her adviser Thomas Hershberger at her Chatham graduation in 2003

At the VA she was originally hired as a research assistant but was soon promoted to coordinator and senior qualitative coder. She was involved in twenty-one research studies including “the Diabetes Telemonitoring study,” “Improving Antibiotic use in Acute Care” and Comprehensive Clinical Study in Women’s Health Centers.”

In 2007, her focus changed to qualitative study and code development. Since 2009, Bayliss has worked as a senior qualitative researcher and consultant for other projects as well.

These projects include areas such as evaluating the military’s assessment of sexual trauma in veterans, patient and provider attitudes towards hepatitis, racial and ethnic disparities in satisfaction in VA care and others. These projects lead to Bayliss co-authoring multiple papers based on her research projects.

In the course of her education at the University of Pittsburgh, internships made Bayliss realize she was meant to be a teacher. One of her internships was as a TA, which originally made her nervous.

Once she graduated with her masters, she began teaching as an adjunct professor of health and wellness for the University of Pittsburgh, while maintaining her responsibilities at the VA. While she was teaching at the University of Pittsburgh, word spread through the grapevine about an opening at Chatham for a social psychology teacher. Bayliss quickly applied and received an adjunct position, which lead to her full-time Chatham career.

While teaching her classes, she still works with the VA today on her tenure projects as a consultant. When Bayliss re-entered the Chatham community, she brought a new internship to the table. Given her experience and projects at the VA, Bayliss created an internship program with the VA where psychology students are able to conduct actual research and do work in their field. The internship provides students with hands on learning on a variety of aspects such as training on screening and content procedures, recruitment mailings, transcription, qualitative interpretations, data entry and code book development.

The internship mainly involves Chatham students but also includes students from the University of Pittsburgh and Edinboro University. Of the nine students that worked the research internship, four were hired after.

Internships are an important aspect of learning because of the experience they provide, said Bayliss. When asked what advice she would give current Chatham students, two things came to her mind. First, she said, be sure to make use of Chatham connections. “You should definitely plan to build relationships with the faculty members because faculty members are the people that write the recommendations,” she said.

“In order to maintain these relationships and create new ones, be sure to attend events on campus such as graduations and reunions. The relationships made can help in later years.” Bayliss also gave advice on tutorials. “Tutorial gives Chatham students a leg up when applying for career opportunities. It can be helpful to copy your tutorial to each resume and graduate school application to differentiate Chatham students from others coming into the market.”

Students voice concerns at town hall meeting

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On Tuesday, November 12, in the secluded lecture hall that is Beckwith, the professors were shooed away, and the students of Chatham came together for the second annual town hall meeting. Town Hall Meetings in a historical context are a time for the people of a community to come together to voice their opinions about the way things are being done.

In the Chatham Student Government (CSG) moderated town hall meeting, after enjoying coffee and cookies, Chatham students filled the seats of Beckwith to voice their feelings on curricula, the standards of living, food, financial aid and what they think they can be done better.

The students who attended meeting were not shy about sharing their opinions. One topic of particular concern for many of the students is the constantly changing curriculum.

Although some will argue that part of Chatham’s charm is its status as a small college, for some students this can have its drawbacks. Some students feel that with the curriculum changing as professors come and go, there’s a lack of consistency in the way certain subjects are taught.

Another pressing concern for some undergraduates is that more attention and funds are being geared towards the graduate programs than the undergraduate program. Specifically many environmental science majors feel their program is being neglected in favor of the School of Sustainability. As a whole, a lot of science majors feel that the humanities programs are favored over their programs.

Communication was another prime concern. Throughout the meeting students of different majors commented on the lack of information they’ve received in regards to things ranging from books to the academic calendar.

Students feel that often, the administration fails to give them the information they need to make informed choices. Some even feel that advisors and faculty are not “on the same page” when it comes to curricula and checklists.

One shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that this meeting was only about complaints. The students that attended the town hall meeting had plenty of suggestions about ways to improve what they view as problems.

The RAs and residents advocated for fewer Monday night edges, in favor of one large monthly event for residence halls to save money and increase fun. There was also plenty of concern about the lack of maintenance in Eddy Theatre and potential safety hazards that could lead to.

In regards to food, most students feel that in the past year, the quality of food has improved but feel there are improvements to be made. As opposed to the current system, a lot of students would be in favor of being able to use their meal plans whenever they want, wherever they want, for whatever they want.

More than one student voiced their concerns about health. One student told the story of nearly eating undercooked meat in Anderson. Additionally, students who suffer from food allergies are worried about food cross contamination.

Some were concerned that no real changes would happen as a result of the town hall and that it served only as a “venting session,” but when asked, the members of CSG made it clear that was not going to be the case.

Chatham Student Government considers the concerns of the student body to be a priority. The representatives stated that there were things they could not make changes to in regards to the budget, but that they consider themselves to be the liaison between the students and administration and are committed to students feeling that they have a voice.

“We’re always striving to be more transparent,” said CSG member Jenny Schollaert.

Only time will tell what changes will be made in the wake of the Town Hall, but CSG has promised to keep the student body updated and is always open to suggestions.

Chatham hosts Lean In viewing party

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On October 28, Chatham University hosted a Lean In viewing party to jumpstart the Lean In On Campus program. Lean In is a non-profit organization founded by Sheryl Sandburg, the chief operating officer of FaceBook. The program’s mission is to encourage women to achieve their ambitions.

Sandburg founded Lean In prior to writing her book also named “Lean In” because of one reason: “Men still run the world. In fact, historically, with some notable exceptions to Pennsylvania Avenue, white men historically run most of the world, especially in the United States,” Sandburg said during her speech to Lean In advocates present in the venue and listening over the Internet.

Sandburg mentioned the inequality when it comes to female representation at the tables where “decisions are made” and how as a result, “women’s voices are not being heard.” She believes college students are the ones who can strive for equality. She calls this group, the Lean In generation.

During her travels promoting Lean In she has come across many different cultural ideas, yet one idea is universal: “Our idea of what it means to male and what it means to be female.” She explained the best action to combat this problem is to educate people on the real differences between men and woman.

The larger gap is the response of people based on gender. The way to combat these ideals is through education, and Sandburg and her counterparts at Lean In have developed a program to support both men and woman who strive for a more equal world. Sandburg encourages people to form Lean In circles, a small group that will provide support for one another.

Anyone can start a circle. Circles leaders are provided resources from leanin.org to encourage circle members to continue to support the Lean In cause. Members of circles usually have similar interests, but the make up of the circles is up to those involved. Lean In On Campus is currently similar to the Lean-In program but is specifically for collegiate campuses.

A Chatham University circle has not yet been created but anyone is able to start one. For more information on the Lean In program visit leanin.org.

Steps to creating or joining a Lean In Circle

  1. Go to leanin.org
  2. Click on Lean In On Campus
  3. Join through Facebook or with your email
  4. Search for Chatham University
  5. Either become a Lean In Leader for wait for a Lean In Leader to join

 

 

Chatham graduate student wins council seat

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November 5 may have been another ordinary day in the lives of many United States residents; however it was not so for Marita Garrett, a Chatham graduate student. On November 5, election day, She won a councilwoman seat and became candidate-elect for the Council of Wilkinsburg.

Before running for office, Garrett served her community as a volunteer at the Wilkinsburg Community Development Corporation (WCDC) for the last year and a half. “I wanted to start learning more about my community and what goes on in it, and being part of WCDC was one step by,” she said. She attended meetings, was on one of their committees and even helped in putting together the WCDC’s first house and garden tour in September. Garrett also took part in helping out in different campaigns held by Neighbors Unite Wilkinsburg.

The borough is split up in three different wards, and Garrett resides in ward one. “In my particular ward, there was no one stepping up to the plate to run against the incumbent, and the incumbent had been in there for two terms and has really done nothing. So I meditated on it, and I thought it was time for me to step up even further and run for office.”

The official term starts January 2014 and lasts until January 2018. The council manages all entities of the borough staff. They also meet three times a month to vote on different rules and regulations that affect the borough such as parking, zoning and residential permits.

Garrett’s initial and immediate plan is accountability. Holding public elected officials accountable is very important, Garrett said. “People are getting paid to do a job, so they need to do their job well or else they shouldn’t be there.” Increasing civic engagement and attending council meetings are more goals Garrett strives to work toward. “Council meetings are where you can actually know what’s going around in the community, because that’s where we discuss the rules and regulations which actually affect our day-to-day lives,” she said.

The residents also have the opportunity for public comment, so if they have an issue, they can bring it up in the council meetings and discuss it with everyone. It is a platform for people to speak and also listen. Revitalization is also on Garrett’s list of goals. According to Garrett, Wilkinsburg has a lot of blight in it, and a lot of the houses are dilapidated. The business district also needs a boost.

Garrett said that back in the forties and fifties, Wilkinsburg was actually a booming borough which had its own businesses and lively shopping district. “We’re a prime area and I believe that investing in our community would build us back up to where we used to be. Once we invest back in our community, there will be this community pride and people will want to get more involved.”

The swearing in will occur on the first Monday of January, and the 4 year official term will commence. Garrett expressed optimism towards the coming term. “There is a new wave of leadership coming along Wilkinsburg Borough Council, and that’s what makes me feel positive about our future—and that we can attain some of the aforementioned points,” she said

Garrett encourages anyone who has passion and outreach towards their communities to get involved and start serving them, but most importantly to show up and be ready to take on the job. Garrett also encourages future participation in local elections: “You have a voice, use it. Every vote counts in every election, but in local elections, one vote even counts more.”

Chatham grants Chilean ambassador honary degree

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His Excellency Felipe Bulnes, ambassador of Chile to the United States was invited to Chatham University on November 4 to receive a Doctor Honoris Causa for Public Service. Before the ceremony and in the context of the University’s Global Focus Program’s Year of the Andes, the Ambassador held an open discussion session in the Mellon living room with Chatham students and faculty members.

The audience raised questions pertaining to education, the role of civil society, climate change and rising protests from the Mapuche minority. In the area of education, the Ambassador gave a brief description of how the education system functions in Chile, emphasizing that standards are high for students entering the University. The scores they obtain on entrance exams determine the amount of scholarships they receive; however he believes that the educational system can still be improved.

Establishing higher quality standards for teachers through standardized testing administered on a continuous basis to assess performance will serve as a basis for post retention. It will also be supported by putting safeguards in place to prevent unfair dismissal.

Regarding civil society in Chile, the Ambassador informed the audience that civil society had practically no space in society until the return of democracy in the 1990s. Recently however, with the building of its influence, it has become more and more confrontational. On climate change, Chile’s geography makes it vulnerable to climate change. The Ambassador indicated that his country is taking actions to reduce green house gas emissions by 20% by 2020. By 2025, 20% of energy consumed will come from renewable energy sources.

On the subject of the Mapuche minority in Chilean society, the Ambassador said the issue is being dealt with through an agency in charge of native issues which operates with the Ministry of Social Development. The meeting concluded with a note on Chilean culture and its extraordinary literary achievement especially considering the size of its population.

At 4 p.m. President Esther Barazzone welcomed Ambassador Bulnes in the Mellon Board Room for the degree granting ceremony. She also introduced Chile’s main features to a university wide audience. She emphasized the remarkable climate diversity of the country, its technological advances by referring to the miners rescue operation in October 2010 and she mentioned that Chile elected its first woman president in 2006.

The President’s introduction was followed by a brief presentation from Dr. Jean Jacques Sene, director of the Global Focus program. Dr. Sene strongly encouraged the audience to immerse itself in global understanding. “Global focus events have the ambition of creating a space where anyone can enhance their critical thinking with a healthy dose of global competencies hidden in the script,” he said.

The Chairman of the Advisory Board, former United States Ambassador Dan Simpson, then took the podium and introduced Ambassador Bulnes, a Harvard Law school graduate and a Fulbright scholar. As an eminent lawyer, Ambassador Bulnes will be representing his country at the International Court of Justice in a maritime dispute with Bolivia. Simpson also said Bulnes spent most of his career as an educator, and his presence on Chatham campus is most relevant.

Ambassador Bulnes was then invited to the podium to receive his awards. In his acceptance speech, he remarked that he was proud to receive this honor on behalf of his country which has seen enormous change in 24 years where human rights and democracyare at the core of this transformation.

The Ambassador also pointed out that education, which promotes human capital is the best tool for achieving development and creates equal opportunities. He believes that the main efforts should be to capture what America has in abundance: ideas, technology, and innovation.

He concluded by saying that Chile has the capacity to remove inequality and move from concept to crystal clear reality.

Chatham University to Host Blood Drive

Admin

On Tuesday, November 19 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Chatham University, in conjunction with the Central Blood Bank, will host a Holiday Blood Drive on the third floor of the University’s Athletic and Fitness Center.

While the reasons for giving blood are well known to most, the process itself is often relatively unknown, which can intimidate first-time blood donors.  Fortunately, Chatham’s last blood drive, which occurred in September, provided an opportunity to help others learn what the process of donating blood involves.

On the day of the drive, the team from the Central Blood bank arrived early and began setting up all of their equipment in the Athletic and Fitness Center.  By 1:00 p.m. their day was well under way, and a group students sat waiting for their turn to begin the process.

One team of nurses clad in red and blue scrubs were seated at a table helping students through the registration process, while several others stood behind a tall blue curtain tending to those already giving blood.

When asked to explain the process of giving blood, Jen Kerr, a nurse for the Central Blood bank, explained that the process begins when a donor signs in at the small computer screen by the door.  She said that donors can make an appointment ahead of time, or they can sign up for a time on the day of the drive.

From there, the donor is given a medical screening (a 53 question survey) coupled with a test for temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin levels.  These tests determine whether or not you are eligible to donate blood, Kerr said.

The Federal Drug Administration regulates this process and sets all of the criteria, she explained. This is due to the fact that the blood is technically considered a drug, as it is given to patients as medication.

Upon passing the screening, the donor proceeds to a cot where he or she generally donates a pint of blood, depending on weight. When finished, the donor is provided with a drink and a small snack and can sit and relax for a few minutes.

From there, the blood is taken to the lab, tested for communicable diseases and then separated into its three components – red blood cells, platelets and plasma.  Each component of blood goes to a different person, Kerr said. “When you donate one unit of blood, you’re saving three lives.”

Echoing that sentiment, Rachel Reed explained her desire to give blood by saying, “not enough people do it, and a lot of people need blood for various medical reasons.”

She went on to say that blood banks have shortages, so anyone who is eligible to participate in these blood drives should definitely make the effort to do so.