Feature photo by DeAsia Powell
Story by DeAsia Powell
The Blue Raiders won against Western Kentucky University last week in the 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive, winning by 36 units of blood.
Since 2010, the MTSU Athletics Department and Campus Recreation collaborated with the Middle Tennessee Red Cross to facilitate the 100 Miles of Hope Blood Drive in competition with long-time rivals, WKU; ending with a battle on the field during the football game on Saturday.
This year, the blood drive was made possible with the collaboration of Interim Director of Campus Recreation Ray Wiley, Deputy Athletic Director Diane Turnham and Middle Tennessee Red Cross employees. The directors were excited to host the drive with initiatives of helping those with sickle cell disease and others in need of blood supply, also calling it the “Sickle Cell Drive.”
“I love it because it brings out the best in our students, faculty, and staff,” said Wiley. “We are very grateful to everyone who comes out and either donates blood or donates their time to help us manage the drive.”
Students and faculty executed an excellent turnout. Amongst those in attendance were Student Government Association executive board members and volunteers, as well as student volunteers and Campus Rec employees.
While students endured the long wait in their seats, Red Cross employees and nurses scrambled to sign students in, assessed their eligibility for blood donation and directed them to their stations. Student volunteers assisted with providing unlimited free snacks, drinks, pizza, t-shirts and football tickets to the WKU game to students and faculty.
Student volunteer Michael Vaughan said the event influenced him to continue contributing to the campus community.
“It makes me happy to help other people,” said Vaughan.
Some students and campus faculty covered both donor and volunteer roles, further exemplifying the turnout of the campus community.
Senior Biomedical Services Donor Recruitment Manager Gene Baker expressed the importance of giving back to the community in times such as this.
“Our country needs 29,000 units of blood every single day,” said Baker. “If you’ve never donated blood, please consider doing so. We need you.”
Baker has been working with the Red Cross for 12 years with the motive of saving lives. During the event, he assisted in facilitating the event by informing students about the donation process and directing them to their stations.
Some students donated with special motives and even faced their fears. Freshman Rowan Barberry used this opportunity to give back and conquer her fear of needles.
“Because we need to have a blood bank for blood transfusions and blood loss,” said Barberry. “If there’s more people to donate, there’s more blood for those in need. It made me feel good because I think it’s something everybody should do, and I know it’s gonna be used to help people.”
Nursing students from the College of Behavioral and Health Science donated to help others, save lives, and contribute to the shortage of blood availability. They said it is good mortality and healthy to donate blood and that helping save people felt satisfying and grateful.
Another student, senior Sloan Moore, was no rookie to donating blood as she donated blood for her eighth time. Moore donated blood to help those who needed type O blood.
“I have one of the universal types and I just like knowing I can help people out if they need it,” said Moore.
The winner of the blood drive was announced at the WKU game Saturday, but the number of units donated (MTSU 405-WKU 369) was announced Wednesday morning.
DeAsia Powell is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines.
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