SCHOOL BLOOD DRIVES MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Impacting over 24,000 Mississippi lives
Mississippi Blood Services (MBS), local community blood center, relies solely on volunteer blood donors for the collection of blood products to help meet the needs of patients across Mississippi and the surrounding communities. During the 2023-2024 academic school year elementary, middle and high school groups across Mississippi collectively hosted over 275 mobile blood drives with MS Blood Services, resulting in the collection of 8,086 units of life-giving blood products. Many of these participating donors were first time contributors, and majority of them were between the ages of 16 and 18-years-old.
In recognition of this ongoing and vital partnership, MBS developed an annual grant program that rewards schools for hosting blood drives and the collection of blood products. Through this structure, MBS donated approximately $55,000 in grant funds to those participating schools that met the grant criteria this year. Additionally, seniors who donated blood twice during the academic year received a red graduation cord and/or lapel pin, acknowledging their status as Distinguished Donors at their graduation ceremonies.
Knowing that each unit collected could potentially save up to three lives, one can deduce that potentially 24,258 Mississippi lives were saved thanks to their selfless gifts. Therefore, through the coordination of school blood drives, we can continue to educate our young people on how often they can donate and the best use of their blood type, which in turns helps continue the cycle of replenishing the blood supply for our communities.
Rolling up your sleeve and donating blood may seem like a simple thing, but to the person on the receiving end of the blood bag, it is often the difference between life and death. Remember…another life could depend on you. Donate blood today.
For more information regarding the MBS High School Blood Drive Grant Program or to host a blood drive, please visit msblood.com or contact MBS Donor Resources Department.