Radford Student Nursing Organization trick or treats for Red Cross

Radford student nurses welcome donors to the Oct. 31 blood drive
Radford student nurses welcome donors to the Oct. 31 blood drive. Front, from left: Briana Graham and Samanath Hight; Back: Makenzie Moore and Alexis Drury

To restore the nation’s depleted store of whole blood, Radford University’s Student Nursing Organization (SNO) hosted a Halloween Blood Drive on Oct. 31 in the Muse Banquet Hall.

“I have seen the need for blood for transfusions as part of my clinical work,” said SNO President Samantha Hight of Pulaski. “It is a universal need by all patients and the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas have stripped the central supply.”

Hosting a blood drive is a new addition to the SNO’s community service program of work. The SNO hosts a monthly donation drive to support the Roanoke Ronald McDonald House with supplies. In November, the Radford chapter will cook and serve a dinner for the families using the McDonald House and host a fund-raising event at Moe’s Diner to support the Children’s Miracle Network. 

To Hight and her colleagues, the desire to do for others is central to their professional aspirations.

“Helping is having the servant heart,” Hight said. “Having compassion, empathy and knowledge has made nurses the most trusted professionals.”

Hight referred to a 2017 Gallup poll that showed Americans consider nurses to be the most trusted professionals. 

The Radford SNO was responding to a real crisis, said American Red Cross Appalachian Regional Account Manager Sandy Myers. Myers said her organization is regularly sending 2,000 units to Puerto Rico and 500 units to Las Vegas as needed. 

“It looks like a good day,” said Myers, as she looked at several Radford students, faculty and staff waiting to make their donations. “Our goal today is 25 units and I hope we can make it to 30 units.”

The SNO is the newest of several Radford University organizations to partner with the Red Cross as blood drives sponsors. They join the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the Criminal Justice Club and the Radford Club and Intramural Sports teams, among others.

On Nov. 8-9, the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority and the Radford chapter of the Red Cross Club will host a drive in the Muse Banquet Room from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For the best donation experience, The Red Cross recommends donors schedule an appointment, then complete RapidPass.

To schedule an appointment in support of this life-saving volunteer effort, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit their website to schedule an appointment. Under zip or sponsor code, type in the 24142 zip code, scroll down to Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017 and register for the Muse Hall event.

To further speed up the registration process, donors can use the Red Cross RapidPass. By using the Red Cross’ RapidPass, donors can complete the pre-donation reading and health history questions on their smart phones and computers.

Nov 3, 2017
Don Bowman
(540) 831-5182
dbowman@radford.edu