The American Medical Student Association will hold a blood drive in The Union today to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis,.
Jessica Miller, AMSA secretary, said that the organization is sponsoring the blood drive because AMSA toured St. Jude last year and saw the hospital’s needs.
Miller said the members decided to do something for the hospital, so they chose to do a fundraiser. Instead of raising money, they thought blood donations would be the best possible fundraiser for St. Jude.
“Instead of raising money, we decided to do the blood drive because it will help St. Jude even more than money,” Brandi Byrd, AMSA chapter president, said.
“Just by donating their blood, each person will be giving $600-$700 to St. Jude,” she added.
United Blood Services from Meridian will be on campus to take the blood.
“All the blood needed will be given to St. Jude,” Byrd said. “Any unused blood will be given to the Oktibbeha County Hospital and Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus.
Everyone is welcome to give blood, but students are strongly encouraged to donate.
Anyone older than 17, weighing at least 110 pounds who have not gotten a tattoos in the past year can donate.
Every donor’s blood will be tested once collected to ensure that contaminated blood will not be given to the hospitals.
The blood drive will be located today only in rooms 301 and 302 of The Union, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Those who donate will receive a t-shirt.