The American Red Cross comes to Wesleyan

The American Red Cross will be coming to Yancey Gym on January 27 from 8 am to 2 pm to collect blood from eligible students and teachers who sign up.

Ginger Holland said, “The blood drive is an opportunity to give back to those in need in the community. Wesleyan has always stepped up to help in the community.” istration desk. “We want to help live out the JOY motto,” Holland said. “We want to serve and help others.”

Students and teachers who wish to donate blood can sign up to give blood through the sign-up link in the daily announcements. However, there are certain requirements; any student who wants to give blood must be at least 16 years old and if the student is 16, a parent or guardian must sign a waiver allowing them to donate blood. Other factors that may disqualify a student or teacher would be if they are sick, have taken aspirin less than two days before giving blood, on antibiotics, pregnant, had a tattoo less than three months ago, have traveled outside the U.S. over the past three years, and more.

If a student or teacher is disqualified from giving blood, they can still help the blood drive. Anyone can sign up via the blood drive Sign-Up Genius to bring food items for those giving blood, because giving blood can make someone pass out or get dizzy. A food item will help alleviate that dizziness that a donor feels. Or students or teachers can sign up to bring lunch for the Red Cross workers, who are drawing blood. Parents can also volunteer to help register students and teachers as they come in to give blood.

Holland and Morris have been working hard since last year with facilities and communication to make sure that Wesleyan has enough space to host the Red Cross. They also build the Sign-Up Geniuses for parent volunteers and work with the Wesleyan Parents Club to make sure that an email will go out with all that information. “Communication and collaboration with campus and the Red Cross is key,” Holland said.

The American Red Cross blood drive is an excellent opportunity for students, teachers, and parents to help those in the community that desperate need blood. Any donation will be put to good use.

In the past couple of years, due to the pandemic, there has been a high need for blood in Peachtree Corners and surrounding areas. There are many people suffering from diseases or accidents that cause them to need blood transfusions. Wesleyan puts on this drive to help support the community and because it aligns with O in the JOY motto: others. Co-chair of the blood drive committee

When asked why she gave blood last year, junior Millie Dempsey said, “I decided to donate blood last year because I think that is such a cool idea that I could be a small part in helping someone save a life.”

This year, the blood drive committee is co-chaired by Holland, mother of first grader Eleanor Holland, and Patricia Morris, mother of seventh grader Jack Morris and fifth grader Julia Morris. Holland and Morris met during the blood drive last year when they worked at the reg-