Story by Adam Graves
Students from all walks of life are coming together to save lives and make an impact on patients in more than 90 hospitals in the Midwest.
Tomorrow, Alpha Phi Omega (APO) will host a blood drive in the Morehouse Ballroom on Drake University’s campus. The service chairs, sophomore Dori Hauser and senior Michelle Markiewicz, planned the blood drive and are collaborating with LifeServe Blood Center. LifeServe will donate the blood to cancer patients who may need blood in an emergency situation.
“We decided to host the blood drive to give Drake students and faculty an easy way to donate and save lives right on campus,” Markiewicz said.
A lot of planning went into this event. The first step in planning the blood drive was finding an organization. From there, the group needed to use their marketing skills to spread the word. Posters were made, announcement sent out via social media and sign up tables were set up outside Hubbell Dining Hall to draw attention to the event.
The only requirements there are to participate is that you are at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are healthy.
“I have never donated blood before but I am excited to participate,” Nikki Haske, a first-year student at Drake, said. “Donating blood helps a lot of people and they are always looking for it, so I feel like I am helping people out and supporting a good cause.”
Markiewicz’s mom and her brother’s friend both needed a blood transplant. They had massive brain injuries and needed blood to keep them alive throughout their process.
“Not everyone may realize, but every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood is what keeps us moving and alive each day.” Markiewicz said. “Giving blood one time will make three people live longer. To me it’s worth the sacrifice.”
Currently, APO has more than 60 members participating in the blood drive.
