Giving blood last week had two benefits: saving lives and the promise of free pizza.

The blood drive was organized by Michigan Blood, a nonprofit blood bank that provides blood for more than 40 Michigan hospitals.

“It’s been busy since the get go, with 10 people lined up before noon,” said Rachelle Treymann, a Michigan Blood donor relations specialist.

Donors were all ages. The blood drive had 138 people who registered to give blood and 98 who actually donated.

Michigan Blood normally does donations for two consecutive days, but for its November donations, had a single-day donation from noon to 6 p.m.

Michigan Blood put on a blood drive in September, which was two days, reaching 103 blood donations out of 157 registered donors. Forty-four of these donors were first time Michigan Blood donors.

“Overall, more than 300 lives were saved through this effort,” Treymann said.

RHA had promoted the blood drive with posters around campus, advertising a free large Papa Johns pizza with every donation.

While the promise of pizza was enough incentive for many students, people donate for many reasons.

“Most people donate for personal reasons,” Treymann said. “Either someone they love has needed a blood transfusion, or they themselves have needed one.”

Other people donate because it is a way to give back to the community.

“Most college students want to give back, (but) they just don’t have the money to do so,” Treymann said. “It’s free to donate blood.”

In order to improve knowledge about giving blood, Michigan Blood partners with many schools across the state of Michigan.

“There are many misconceptions when it comes to blood donations, but we do our best to educate,” Treymann said.

Treymann said that the goal of Michigan Blood is to save lives through blood transfusions.

“(It’s about) saving lives, plain and simple,” Treymann said. “Michigan first is our motto.”

Michigan Blood focuses on meeting the needs of Michigan hospitals, and if a surplus is acquired, then the blood is sent across the country to community hospitals that need it.

Jacob Premo, an SVSU student, donated blood for many years and then received a donation after a severe wrist injury.

“It’s kind of a humbling experience that somebody else is helping save your life,” Premo said in an interview with Michigan Blood.

Premo had donated ever since he was eligible, and never really thought of the people he was saving through his donation. Each time someone donates, they have the chance to touch 2-3 lives.

“It’s (blood), not something you can just go buy at Walmart,” Treymann said. “It’s something that needs to be donated.”