By Michael A. Lanier

CIU Student Writer

The annual American Red Cross blood donation day at Columbia International University was record-setting. A total of 60 units was donated Sept. 25, breaking the old CIU record of 51 units set in 2012.

A steady stream of students, faculty, and staff lined up in the Rossi Student Center from morning until evening including sophomore Abigail Alfaro.

“It was a rewarding experience because of the lives I could save just by giving blood,” Alfaro said.

The Grace Coffee shop in the Student Center rewarded the donors with beverages. Similarly, a local Chick-Fil-A offered food to the donors and a chance to win free meals for a year.

“It's pretty amazing,” said junior Andrew Haylett. “It was quite an experience, knowing I saved lives just by giving blood.”

“It's an hour of discomfort to literally save people's lives,” added junior Chase Effler. “I can't be selfish with my blood.”

The enthusiasm made Dr. Bryan Beyer, CIU’s dean of the College of Arts & Sciences especially happy. He is a member of the BioMed Committee at the local Red Cross.

“I'm very grateful for the partnership with Chick-Fil-A and Grace Coffee, and I'm proud that our students have stepped up and given the largest amount we've ever given,” Beyer said.