The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is a blood distribution company based out of Davenport, Iowa. The MVRBC works to distribute blood in 87 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri and hosts over 4,000 blood drives a year and ends up receiving over 180,000 donations each year which then ends up helping out millions of people each year. Despite being based out of Davenport, the company also has several regional distribution hubs around parts of central and eastern Illinois, Southern Iowa, and the St. Louis area.

On January 28^th, Millikin University partnered with The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center to host a blood drive in Lower RTUC. The blood drive lasted all day and was the second blood drive of the school year as The American Red Cross hosted one in September. It was planned to host the blood drive on this day so that this was at least 56 days after the last one which is the required waiting period for donating blood in case there were donors that wished to donate this time and also donated back in September. During this blood drive, the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center had a goal of gathering at least 50 pints of blood before the blood drive was finished.

During this blood drive, there were a large number of Millikin students who came out to the blood drive to donate. Students were either able to sign up and make an appointment to donate but if they didn’t make an appointment they were also able to sign up and give on the day of the blood drive. Luckily this year, there were many students that were enthusiastic about donating blood and so they were asked why they came out to donate. Millikin student Josh Mysliwiec said that “I donated a lot when I was in high school and so when this opportunity arose to help people I decided that I should donate again.” Another student who donated Emily Wheeler stated that “My entire family has donated blood for as long as I can remember. I am also a long time donor and so whenever there is a blood drive on campus I make sure that I always sign up to donate.”

Dustin Forman, another student who donated said that he has “done this in the past a few times and I know that taking a small piece of my time during the day to give blood will end up going quite a long way and I know that it will help out a large number of people in many different ways.” Donor Mary Ewa stated that “Taking the time to donate blood will end up helping someone in need who really could use it.” Another student donor Kay-Leigh Shierling said that “I’ve donated before so it would be a good opportunity to do it again and help as many people as I can.” Jeff Splinter, who also came out to donate stated as well that “The blood drive is here and it’s an opportunity to save lives so I’d figure that I’d help out in a way that would end up making quite a difference.”

If you are interested in donating blood, whether you are a first time donor looking to get started donating or have donated in the past and are looking to make an increase in your overall blood donations, be on the lookout and keep your eyes open for any emails or flyers around campus that have upcoming opportunities to donate around campus or around the Decatur area either with the American Red Cross or Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center.