The Enterprise Wireless Networking Blog

Aerohive is best known for its controller-less wireless networking platform, but there just might be a new nickname that fits its description.

 Blood Suckers!

Or more accurately, “Blood Givers!” (depending on which side of the American Red Cross' needle you’re on.)

A mere fortnight after throwing the wildly successful Cinco de Mayo Celebration/Stress-Free Day, Aerohive's Fun Committee switched hats and transformed itself into the Charity Committee. In doing so, we called upon the American Red Cross to help with Aerohive Network's First Mobile Blood Drive.
 
Now, people get very squeamish when it comes to blood – spilling it or giving it. And it’s a hassle to take time out of one’s day to donate. However, none of that stopped Aerohivers from swarming the blood-drive bus, or from recruiting family and friends to donate as well. We had a great turnout!

We also had fun. Apparently Aerohivers can turn anything into a party. The bus felt like a club with dance music and all (minus the strobe lights). Meanwhile, the hors d'oeuvres (A.K.A. energy-replenishing treats) included Nutter Butters, Oreos, Cheez-Its and an assortment of juice and water.

They had red heart shaped stress balls for us to squeeze. However, not to be outdone, we brought in some of our special black Aerohive balls to use instead (a lot of effort goes into the making of a WLAN networks architecture - these balls help!)

There were a few first-timers who braved the needle and onslaught of questions to donate for us. And there were many who faced some challenges – like Brad, here, who gets the Trooper Award for getting stuck by needles in both arms because they couldn’t find a good vein.


 

One of our colleagues recruited her mom. Also a partner and another enterprise wireless networking colleague dropped in with his wife, but they both were denied because they had traveled recently to a region in China where there was a recent malaria breakout.

Regardless, we wholeheartedly appreciate everybody’s efforts.

While we needed 24 donors to make it worthwhile for the Red Cross to come to Aerohive HQ, only 12 people had officially signed up online by the day of the event. But in the end we had 30 volunteers ready to roll up their sleeves and get stuck with a needle, resulting in about 19 donors (after all the World Travelers and dehydrated were weeded out).

There was more than enough blood donated to make it worthwhile to come to our office. And with 19 pints of blood collected, we cumulatively potentially helped save 57 lives!!! Woo Hoo!

Oh, but wait. It’s not time to relax just yet.

We are already planning Aerohive's next Mobile Blood Drive for December 6th. The holidays are a tough period for the Red Cross to get donors so we will do it then when the need is high. 

Will you come out and join us next time?