MC Family Helps Replenish State’s Depleted Blood Supply by Participating in MBS January Drive
Ebby Dedeaux believes in leading by example.
Mississippi College’s controller in the Office of Business Affairs takes Christ’s lessons in 2 Corinthians to heart, regularly donating blood since she was a teenager.
“Jesus encourages generosity and cheerful giving,” Dedeaux said. “Our students need to see examples in us of cheerful giving, whether that is to a worthy, non-profit cause monetarily or giving of our time for something like life-saving blood donation.”
Recent sub-freezing temperatures throughout the Southeast have resulted in blood shortages in the state that provide an opportunity for Mississippi College faculty, staff, and students to follow Dedeaux’s example.
A donor coach from Mississippi Blood Services will be parked in front of the B.C. Rogers Student Center from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Jan. 24-25, to accept donations during the first campus blood drive of the year.
Tammy Bouchillon, MBS senior marketing representative, said a good turnout for the drive would go a long way toward helping address the current demand for blood and blood products throughout Mississippi.
“The severe weather in our state and across the nation has forced the cancellations of many blood drives,” Bouchillon said. “Turnout at local donation centers is low because fewer people are willing or able to brave the cold temperatures to visit us.
“Our shelves will be depleted, and we desperately need to rebuild our inventory. MC faculty and students can really help us by participating in this drive.”
To underscore the critical demand, January has been named National Blood Donor Month.
“What better way to kick off the new year than to make a difference in the lives of others?” Bouchillon asked.
She said the blood donation process is simple and takes less than an hour. MBS representatives administer a short medical questionnaire and take donor’s vital signs before the actual donation. To save time, donors can click here to complete the questionnaire online before reporting to the donor coach.
“Afterwards, donors can relax and enjoy the snacks we provide,” Bouchillon said. “Although saving a life is a reward on its own, each donor will also receive a $15 VISA card upon completion of the donation. This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for answering the call.”
Healthy individuals at least 17 years of age who weight at least 110 pounds are eligible to participate in the drive. Red blood cells are the most needed of all blood components, so individuals may be asked to make an automated donation of just red cells, which allows MBS to take twice as many in one sitting.
Bouchillon said the medical conditions that can benefit from blood donations are varied, but cancer patients use more blood than any other.
Those who are unable to participate in the January drive will have other opportunities to donate at MC throughout the year. Mississippi College hosts a pair of MBS drives during the spring and fall semesters.
Dedeaux said many others can benefit from one person’s God-given resources – it just takes a few minutes of time to donate.
“One blood donation can potentially save the lives of up to three people,” she said. “Why not donate? We don’t need it all, and our bodies will help us make more.”
For more information about Mississippi Blood Services or donating blood, visit msblood.com or call 601.573.4181.
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