It’s that time of the year again: the annual Red Cross blood drive! Congrats to all the heroes who rolled up their sleeve to donate (no cape required)!  The gym transformed into a life-saving station during the blood drive—one donation can save up to three lives. Donors also walked away with a cool sticker, YES hours and the knowledge that they contributed to making a significant difference in someone’s life.  

The blood drive has become one of the most well-known traditions on campus. In fact, according to Red Cross Club’s Vice President Tiffany Yuan, the school’s drives are so successful that they’re among the largest in the Gulf Coast region. 

“We usually get around 60 to 70 donations each drive,” Yuan said. “That blood goes directly to hospitals for transfusions or research, and since blood expires every few weeks, it’s always in critical demand.”

But the impact doesn’t stop there. The club also works with the Houston chapter of the Red Cross on projects like installing fire alarms in underserved neighbourhoods and sending hygiene kits to veterans. The blood drives, though, remain the highlight. But also, there are perks for active members: volunteering earns service hours, as well as eligibility for scholarships.

“There are awards from both the Red Cross Club and the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center,” Yuan said. “Some scholarships are worth up to $10,000, and they’re given to students who step up to help with blood drives and other events.” 

The blood drive was a chance to save lives, gain hands-on experience, and maybe even score some notable recognition. But most importantly, the drive gave a sense of hope; that underneath all the bad news in the media every day, there are small things like this that leave a lasting impact, restoring some faith in the otherwise chaotic humanity.  

“What we’re doing really makes a tremendous impact in our community,” Yuan said. “Blood donations are life-saving, and we’re proud to be part of that.”