ELLISVILLE – Jones College’s community-wide spring blood drive was a big success. Eighty-one units of blood was collected over two days, Monday, February 26, and on Tuesday, February 27. Students like Petal’s James Leggett gave for the first time while sophomore David Garner of Mize said he has donated blood in high school.
“I wasn’t planning on giving today but I met this lady out on the plaza, and she talked me into donating. This is really convenient having the mobile unit near the Student Center Plaza and the Student Union,” said Garner.
Nursing majors, William Dycus of Whistler and Britton Dunnam of Greene County are regular blood donors for similar reasons; they just want to help people. It was only the second time to donate for freshman Ashlynn Conerly from Columbia. However, her reasons were very similar in just wanting to give. These students along with faculty, staff and community members helped to exceed the goal for the blood drive, making coordinators very happy with the turnout.
Dr. Benji Sessums, Jones College Blood Drive Coordinator, and EMT instructor said the overall goal for the two-day blood drive was 65 units of blood and to have 81 units was a nice surprise. Vitalant’s Michelle Anderson-Jones said she attributes the success of the blood drive to the “Jones Magic.” Two Mobile Blood Units were used over the two-day blood drive located in different locations across campus. Every donor received a T-shirt and was eligible for Door Prizes.