Giving back: Campus and community turn out for blood drive

Blood Drive Sept 2022
For Meridian Community College freshman Ameria Stokes, donating blood is a part of her nature.

"I know there are people out there that need blood, so why not do it?," she said as she registered to give.

Stokes, a nursing student from Pascagoula, was one of the many MCC students, faculty, and staff members who rolled up their sleeves and opened their arms to give blood during the College's two-day blood drive held in collaboration with MSU-Meridian. Mississippi Blood Services is servicing the drive.

Brandon Dewease, MCC associate dean for student engagement, was pleased with the first-day donation efforts. “This is going very well; I find that it is well supported by our community – which is comprised of all of our students. We have volunteers and donors from both campuses," he said.

MCC student Delvin James, from Heidelberg, said he donated to help others, too. One unit of blood can save four lives, and there's a shortage of blood, Dewease added.

Another blood drive is tentatively scheduled for November.