The Retort
The Voice of the Students of Montana State University Billings
The RetortThe Voice of the Students of Montana State University Billings
February 19th, 2010 by Jennifer Fortenberry For The Retort
Two of the 29 donors at the first SAAC Blood drive held at MSUB. (Photo by Matt Langman)
Members of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) decided that February was the time to rock and roll-up their sleeves.
The first-ever SAAC Blood drive turned the SUB Ballroom into a mobile medical station on February 3 for most of the day. United Blood Services (UBS), Billings’s main blood supplier to local hospitals, teamed up with the SAAC in an effort to promote wellness and help the community. The Pita Pit donated free sandwiches to all donors.
According to Carrie Rigney of UBS, one blood donation can save up to three lives. And that’s exactly what SAAC President Kelly Parsons says drove them to hold the blood drive in the first place. “The SAACs in the conference discussed doing a blood drive because it is a great community involvement and something that everyone can contribute to without paying money!” The Student Athlete Advisory Committee is part of the National Collegiate Athletics Association.
At the end of the day 29 people sacrificed their time to help those who may need it. Because of their blood donations as many as 88 people who need blood may be helped in our community.
This article originally appeared in The Retort, Volume 2 Issue 6.