Wilkes held a blood drive Sept. 13 in collaboration with the American Red Cross in honor of the 9/11 National Day of Service.
The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that helps support many underserved communities and disaster events. Blood gathered from every blood drive goes to help give blood transfusions and other treatments that help save lives.
Monica Morrison, a Wilkes 2021 graduate and AmeriCorps VISTA, gave blood at the event and has volunteered many times before.
“Blood drives are so important. It has been such a pleasant experience and everyone has been so nice. It is just important to give back to the community,” said Morrison. “I was nervous, but everyone has been so nice and makes you feel so comfortable.”
A blood drive is nothing without people to help service it. Zachary Peterson, team supervisor for the American Red Cross, ran the event on Tuesday with his staff. Peterson has been doing this for five years and has done countless blood drives before. He sees giving blood to have a huge impact on the lives of so many.
“People have another day to be with their wife, child, mother, father, sister; some people don’t get that chance. This is a way where we are able to extend someone’s next goodbye’s and hello’s,” said Peterson.
Donors also received a Red Cross t-shirt, free coupon for a Sports Clips haircut and were automatically entered for a chance to win a NASCAR racing experience. This includes two tickets to a 2021 Sports Clips-sponsored race, round-trip airfare for two, up to a three-night hotel stay and a $750 gift card. This give-away will continue throughout the month of September at all American Red Cross blood drives.
For more information on how anyone can participate in blood drives on the month of September at all American Red Cross blood drives. For more information on how anyone can participate in blood drives on campus, visit the Wilkes website, or to find another local blood drive, go to the American Red Cross website and insert a zipcode to find the closest location.