Red collection trucks dot the University of South Carolina campus each November leading up to Thanksgiving week for the annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive.

But winter’s cold weather that follows makes blood collections scarce and aggravates a blood shortage. That’s when Gamecocks have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves for mini-drives at USC.

Students were invited to donate at Russell House for the third mini-drive of the semester, held Feb. 17.

“This semester, we’re doing a few more because the shortage is a bit more severe,” Wacasaer said.

Molly Wacasaer, president of the Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive, remains in constant contact with partner organizations, including the American Red Cross and The Blood Connection.

The American Red Cross, which collects about 40% of the nation’s blood supply, has warned of a severe shortage in 2026. The national supply is down 35% from where supplies should be.

“About 800 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of this year, resulting in more than 20,000 uncollected blood donations,” said Nick Gibson, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross of South Carolina.

While that figure reflects national cancellations, South Carolina is among the top five states in critical need.

“We never, ever want a doctor at a hospital to decide which patient receives blood,” Gibson said. “We want to have as much blood on the shelf as possible to help save lives and help patients in need.”

Students who have donated before are eager to give again when the opportunity is there, Wacasaer said.

Friends Hannah Mizaki and Rachel Fabrico attended the mini-drive after a long line kept them from donating at the truck on Greene Street the previous week.

“We’re nursing majors, so we knew we had to give back,” said an energized Fabrico. “… Just do it. It’s not bad. I lived. Didn’t pass out.”

The mini-drive offered an impressive lure for college students: $70 in rewards that can be redeemed on The Blood Connection’s website for an e-gift card.

“It feels good to save lives, and it’s also a pretty good incentive,” said student donor Tam Cinh, who said it was her fifth time donating since high school.

The Blood Connection collects donations specifically for the Southeast, serving more than 145 hospitals.

“If we don’t have blood, they don’t have blood,” said Amaris Jenkins, media specialist for The Blood Connection.

The Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive is the organization’s largest annual collection event.

“That access makes a huge difference in maintaining a steady blood supply while, of course, engaging the next generation of donors,” Jenkins said. “We are more than thankful to our student donors.”