UTC hosts bloodanooga drive due to critical blood shortage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is partnering with Blood Assurance for a two-day blood drive, held Monday (April 1) and Tuesday (April 2) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The nonprofit is urging students, faculty, and community members to roll up their sleeves and donate, as the region faces an alarming blood shortage.

According to Blood Assurance donor recruiter Shawn Weller, the current blood supply is critically low—only enough for two days.

He emphasized the importance of community support, especially from younger donors.

“We’re actually at an all-time critical low with levels,” Weller explained. “We’ve got about two days’ worth of blood before we run out, so we’re doing a big push.”

Weller elaborated that UTC hosts two major blood drives each school year—one in the fall and one in the spring.

“Students and schools make up 25% of all our donations,” he said. “That’s a big number, so we really rely on schools like UTC.”

The drive is open to all students, faculty, staff, and members of the public.

Donors will also receive a custom-made, baseball-themed T-shirt as a token of appreciation.

Donating is simple, but there are some requirements.

Weller said donors must be at least 16 years old—with parental consent for minors—and weigh at least 110 pounds.

They must also pass a quick physical to check for proper iron levels and a healthy heart rate.

“Every donation of blood can save up to three lives,” Weller expressed. “A single car accident victim might need up to 40 units of blood. So when we collect 80 units in one day, it may sound like a lot, but it’s still not enough when there’s such high demand.”

For many students, giving blood is a personal decision rooted in a desire to help others.

Aubrie Johnson, a student at UTC, reflected on her motivation.

“The first time I did it, I just wanted to know my blood type—which I think is kind of funny,” Johnson shared. “But I like doing it because it makes you feel like you’re helping people. You get an email afterward saying your donation was used, and it just feels good to know you made a difference.”

Brian McDaniel, Director of Operations for Blood Assurance’s East Region, also joined the team at UTC.

As a former recipient himself, McDaniel holds a deeply personal connection to the mission.

“In 2001, I had a bad automobile accident and needed blood,” he said. “I’ve always had an interest in blood banking—I’m a medical technologist by background—but becoming a recipient made it all the more meaningful.”

McDaniel stressed how local donations make a local impact. “The blood you give here today will come right back to this community,” he said. “It doesn’t take much—just roll up your sleeve, and know you’re saving lives.”

He added a simple message of gratitude: “Thank you. If everyone gave just once or twice a year, we wouldn’t have to rely on large-scale blood drives like this. Every bit helps.”

Blood Assurance encourages all eligible donors to take advantage of the opportunity to give during UTC’s drive—because every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.