Mississippi College Battles Delta State in Blood Drive

Mississippi College junior Zach Klopman, 20, of Jensen Beach, Florida donates blood on the Clinton campus.

Rivals in the Gulf South Conference, Mississippi College and Delta State University students remain committed to the same goals when it comes to donating blood.

This Fall, students at both institutions participated in the annual Mississippi Blood Services drive. The Mississippi schools are located two hours apart.

“I knew we are in short supply – I want to help people,” said MC sophomore Katelyn Brock. The 19-year-old pre-med student from Vicksburg donated the gift of life in the MBS bus near Provine Chapel. For Katelyn, September 28 marked the first time she ever donated blood.

“One donation can save a life,” said MC junior Zach Klopman, 20, of Jensen Beach, Florida as he rolled up his sleeves and took part in the two-day campaign.

The biology major said he would have donated blood even if Mississippi College and DSU were not facing off in September.

Similar blood drives involving school rivals are happening on college campuses across the Magnolia State. The blood goes to hospital patients across the state.

Mississippi Valley State University recently finished on top in the MBS drive involving Alcorn State University and Jackson State University.

Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi and the University of Southern Mississippi battle annually in the Transylvania Bowl organized by Mississippi Blood Services. The event continues through October.

“These types of competitions are a great way to turn school rivalries into lifesaving events,” says Tammy Bouchillon, senior marketing representative with Flowood-based MBS. “The real winners are always the patients in the hospitals that we supply.”

Mississippi College senior Molli Douglass, 22, of Clinton was delighted to donate. “This saves lives,” says the former MC Lady Choctaws softball player.

The final tally in this week’s Heritage Bowl competition was reported Friday. Delta State made 110 donations to 89 for MC. And that keeps the MBS trophy on the Cleveland campus for another year. Combined, that adds up to nearly 200 units of blood.

With Mississippi Blood Services officials noting blood units were shipped to families impacted by powerful hurricanes in Texas and Florida, supplies in the state are lower than usual.