Tamara Swain
Staff Writer
Mississippi Blood Services visited the campus of Jackson State University from Sept. 24-26th for the annual “Soul Bowl” blood drive. The donor coach bus was located between the Jacob L. Reddix Office Complex and Alexander Residence Hall.
The blood drive is held before the annual in-state rivalry game, dubbed “The Soul Bowl” that pits JSU against Alcorn State University. ASU won the competition last year.
Along with free t-shirts and community service hours given, student donors were also given a chance to enter a drawing to win a $1500 scholarship provided by Regions Bank.
“This year many students from Jackson State have donated blood,” said Monica Walker, a Mississippi Blood Services representative. “Having college students involved in blood drives is very important, because 80 percent of the blood we collect comes from college students.”
Donors’ blood is checked by a process before it is actually donated because some people cannot give blood for various reasons. Those unsure about donating blood are ensured by MBS that donating blood is safe, simple, and saves lives.
Kim Shelby, another Mississippi Blood Services employee said, “Many college students donate blood because they have a great amount of school spirit and want to see their school win. Some college students just want a free t-shirt to wear. Some students also want the community service hours.”
Others, according to Walker, have big hearts and just simply want to help save a life and may one day themselves be in need of blood.
“Whenever I get the opportunity to save a life, I do so, because I put myself in their position and I would want people to give,” said (Mr. Freshman) Kedric Hayes, a freshman from Grenada, Miss.
Aja Swayne, a freshman mass communications major from St. Louis, Mo., believes that universities like JSU should have blood drives more often because it is a way to reach a lot of people at one time.
“I decided to give blood because I love helping people in need,” said Swayne. “I give blood at least twice a year and have done it since I was in the ninth grade.”
Swayne added: “I think JSU has a good chance to win the Soul Bowl but more people should have participated simply to help save lives.”
For more information on how to give blood, contact Mississippi Blood Services at (888) 90-BLOOD or visit www.msblood.com.
