Annual Blood Drive Exceeds Expectations with Record Number of Donors

Story contributed by broadcast journalism students Karsyn King and Camryn Sidley

The annual blood drive hosted by Kappa Alpha Theta and Mississippi Blood Services this week brought in more than 600 people who chose to donate.

“Every donation saves at least three lives,” said Jennifer Hudson, marketing director of Mississippi Blood Services. “You can multiply that times three. They’ve saved a lot of lives here this week.”

Mississippi Blood Services supplies the majority of hospitals throughout the state as well as St. Jude’s. This is the largest blood drive they host and they rely heavily on donors.

“We are dependent upon every donor who comes through our doors to save the lives of the people of this state,” Hudson said.

The blood drive was held Monday through Thursday in the ballroom of the Courtyard Marriott in downtown Oxford. Kappa Alpha Theta Philanthropy Chair Sidney Sirdashney said the blood drive is a worthy cause.

“As of yesterday we were able to save 1,600 lives from the amount of blood donated,” said Sirdashney. “After today’s end result, we’ll probably have over 2,000 lives we have been able to save.”

The overall success of the drive has also seen an increase since last year.

“Number wise, I think we are doing a lot better than last year,” said Sirdashney.  

If a donor missed the blood drive this week, Mississippi Blood Services offers smaller drives for people to regularly donate.

“We have hubs that operate all throughout this state,” Hudson said. “So, on any given day we have 10 to 12 busses at a different drive everyday.”

For more information on the Mississippi Blood Services and locations of other drives where people can give, visit www.msblood.com.