First Blood Drive of 2019 Attracts Mississippi College Donors

Will Davis, 20, of Brandon donated blood on the Clinton campus on January 22.

Students from communities in the Magnolia State and as far away as England were among the donors at Mississippi College’s first blood drive of 2019.

On January 22, the students waited their turn at the Mississippi Blood Services bus parked near Provine Chapel to give the gift of life.

During MC’s Founder’s Day to celebrate the institution’s 193-year anniversary, 33 students donated blood. It was a nice turnout that will help ease statewide blood shortages for hospital patients statewide.

“We are hoping for at least that many (donations) on Wednesday, because, yes, blood supplies are still very low,” says Mississippi Blood Services marketing staffer Tammy Bouchillon. “Please don’t let a few raindrops scare you away. Mississippi College always comes through for us.”

The blood donated to Flowood-based MBS headquarters gets shipped to more than 40 Mississippi hospitals. Blood also goes to one hospital across state lines in Tallulah, Louisiana.

Among blood drive donors Tuesday was Samantha Carson, a Mississippi College senior from England. A midfielder, Carson was a standout on the MC Lady Choctaws soccer team finishing the 2018 season ranked 14^th in the nation. “Sam” Carson says she was excited to be part of the two-day blood drive on the Clinton campus.

“There is a need for it,” added Will Davis, 20, an MC accounting major from Brandon, making a blood drive donation.

Students don’t leave empty-handed. They receive free MBS T-shirts along with words of thanks from employees  in charge.

Mississippi Blood Services staffers return to Mississippi College again April 3-4 to conduct a second drive in 2019. Phi Theta Kappa members on the Clinton campus will sponsor the next event.

For decades, Mississippi College students have remained frequent contributors to MBS campaigns.

Tammy Bouchillon was delighted to honor MC representatives with a trophy recently. Mississippi College edged Delta State University in their 2018 MBS Heritage Bowl blood drive. Rivals in the Gulf South Conference, the Mississippi schools sit two hours apart.

Bouchillon is forever grateful for the MC students showing up, rain or shine, to make donations. But always, she would like to see more students signing up. “Bring a friend, roll up your sleeves, and save a life today.”

For more information on Mississippi Blood Services call their offices in Flowood at 888-90-BLOOD or go to www.msblood.com