The Providence Blood Donor Center hosted a blood drive Tuesday and offered coupons for a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream to students who donated.

“A pint for a pint,” Terry Hill, Providence blood donor recruitment coordinator, said to students and asked them to save a life by giving blood.

Sonia Roldan, 22, Spanish literature major, received a blood transfusion at birth. She said she is giving back to others by donating whenever possible.

Roldan struggled to find time to donate outside of school.

“I’ve given blood twice to the Red Cross, and they’re always calling me and I’m always busy either at work or at school,” Roldan said. “I found this to be an opportunity.”

Most students were unaware the blood drive was occurring until stumbling upon the site on campus.

“I went to the bookstore and I saw the truck, so I just proceeded (to donate),” Roldan said.

Mahoganee Perry, 21, psychology major, was on her way to class when she spotted the truck.

“I stopped and asked them how long they’d be
out here,” Perry said. “I have class back to back, so I’m trying
to do it between periods.”

Perry is hoping to give back to those in need.

“Just the thought of giving back to someone is what makes me do it. If I
could help anyone in anyway I’m down for it,” Perry said. “That’s the real reason, just
to know I will be helping someone.”

She said she did not find out about the incentive of a pint of Baskin Robbins ice cream until signing up.

“I didn’t
even know about (the ice cream), but that is a bonus right there,” Perry said.

She is excited to share her experience with friends through social media.

“I’ll probably post a picture on Instagram (saying), ‘Hey, I donated blood,'” Perry said. “So everyone’s going to see that and hopefully it draws people over.”

According to Hill, the blood drive brought in enough students that she will be raising her goal for the next on-campus drive, which will be March 11.