On Monday, Sept.15, Southern Utah University will partner with the American Red Cross to hold the first blood drive of the year. Everyone is invited to come and donate from 10 a.m – 3 p.m. in the Sharwan Smith Student Center Brian Head Room.
A blood donation takes about 8 -10 minutes and requires the donor to be in good health, at least 16 years old and weigh a minimum of 110 lbs. Every donor will receive a t-shirt from the Red Cross and Peanuts collaboration.
“While a blood drive at a small university in a small town may not seem like the opportunity to do much, each donation plays a role in the lifesaving work of the Red Cross,” said Brielle Tidwell, SUU’s Red Cross President. “The International Committee of the Red Cross is the largest humanitarian network in the world.”
With over 135 years of experience, the organization helps millions of patients in over 2,500 hospitals and other facilities across the country and even outside of it. 84% of blood donations are given at blood drives like this one.
“Being a part of the community at SUU has meant so much to me, but I hope this doesn’t end when we leave SUU. I hope we are all setting a precedent for a lifelong commitment to community involvement,” added Tidwell. “I feel that this can be done as we seek opportunities to give our time and service to worthy causes both at our university and outside of it. Helping in our yearly blood drive is a perfect way to do this!”
For those unable to donate, there are opportunities to volunteer as Blood Ambassadors. These team members assist with the check-in process and donor care. This is a chance to gain medical experience and connect with the organization’s representatives. Everyday, more than 17,000 people receive lifesaving Red Cross health and safety training.
Three lives can be saved with each pint of blood collected, so do not hesitate to attend tomorrow’s event to donate or volunteer. For further questions, reach out to brielletidwell@gmail.com, or you can find answers on the Red Cross’ website.
Author: Fanny Felixine
Editor: Briar Adams
Photos courtesy from the American Red Cross
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