NEMCC Phi Theta Kappa to host tri-annual blood drive

October Blood Drive Also Serves as the "Out for Blood" Donation Competition Against ICC

by Michael H. Miller

BOONEVILLE, Miss. -- (10/21/2024) — Northeast Mississippi Community College's Iota Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society will hold its first blood drive of the 2024-2025 academic year on October 22-24 in the Claude Wright Room, on the second floor of the Haney Union in Booneville.

Northeast's blood drive runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 24 and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23.

Northeast's three-day blood drive is especially significant as it forms part of the annual "Out for Blood" competition between Northeast and Itawamba Community College.

Both Northeast and Itawamba will go head-to-head in a friendly rivalry that benefits the northeast Mississippi community by collecting blood donations for local hospitals with the competition coinciding with the rivalry football game between the two schools.

While Itawamba kicks off its four-day donation effort on Monday, October 21, with the Vitalant bloodmobile visiting the Fulton campus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northeast will begin collecting donations the following day.

From Tuesday, October 22 through Thursday, October 24, members of the Northeast community can contribute to the cause by donating blood during the Iota Zeta chapter's drive. Donors can make appointments by visiting donors.vitalant.org and entering the Blood Drive Code "NEMCCTigers."

In 2023, Northeast edged out Itawamba by collecting 61 units of blood, while Itawamba gathered 53 units. Combined, both schools contributed 114 units of blood, helping to serve the needs of approximately 342 patients at hospitals across north Mississippi.

Each unit of blood can be separated into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, allowing medical professionals to assist multiple patients with each donation.

While the friendly competition represents more than a rivalry; it signifies a commitment to saving lives.

According to blood drive organizers, every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or platelets, with nearly 29,000 units of red blood cells required each day.

A single automobile accident victim can require up to 100 units of blood, underscoring the critical need for donations.

Red blood cells are essential for surgeries, platelets are critical for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and plasma helps treat burn victims and those with severe blood loss.

By participating in this drive, students, staff, and community members have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of people throughout the region.