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MC Students Eligible for Mississippi Blood Services Gift Cards


Mississippi College students will join other statewide donors eligible to receive $500 Visa gift cards when they give blood on the Clinton campus Nov. 18-19.

The MC drive for Mississippi Blood Services is scheduled at Alumni Hall from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on that Wednesday and Thursday.

Mississippi Blood Services is celebrating 30 years of saving lives and approaching its 1.5 millionth blood/platelet donation.

To express their thanks, MBS will have two random drawings for $500 gift cards and a third $500 gift card will go to the person who gives the 1.5 millionth unit of blood of platelets, says Tony Bahou, the MPS public relations/communications manager.

"Come be part of our history," he says. "Donate blood and save a life."

Those who donate to a MBS drive in the state between Oct. 29 and Nov. 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win.

For folks who are whole blood or double red cell donors and their next appointment falls outside the promotion period, they can still participate by donating platelets, Bahou said.

The previous blood drive at MC was in early September. The first day's drive attracted 54 MC students. One of them was MC sophomore Tanner Carter, 19, of Petal. "It is an easy and convenient way to help people,'' he said as other students lined up to give blood.

Mississippi Blood Services typically needs 250 pints of blood daily to serve 49 hospitals around the Magnolia State, said Tammy Bouchillon, the MBS senior marketing representative. One unit of blood can save up to three lives.

Students who give blood are urged to drink plenty of fluids after they make the gift of life. They should also avoid strenuous exercise for the following 12 hours.

Bahou says MBS leaders expect to award the three $500 gift certificates in early December or just in time for the Christmas holidays.

MC joins other in-state colleges like Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Alcorn State, Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State that have been strong backers of MBS drives over the years, Bahou said.

"Mississippi College has always been a big supporter,'' Bahou said.

Faculty and staff at MC are also eligible to give blood during the campus drive next week, he said.

For more information about donating blood, contact MBS representatives at 1.888.902.5663. Their offices are at 1995 Lakeland Drive in Jackson, and also can be reached at 601.981.3232.