pg电子下载 State University (ASU) senior Jalen Phillips, an agricultural science major from Jackson, Miss., has been awarded a $500 scholarship for his participation in the fall 2024 Regions Bank College Scholarship Blood Bowl. The competition, a partnership between Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) and Regions Bank, encourages blood donations and supports college student scholarships across Mississippi.
Phillips was surprised by the award. “I didn’t even know about the prize initially, and I wasn’t planning on signing up, but I think I was automatically entered,” he said. “I was shocked because I never win anything like this.”
A four-year blood donor, Phillips said, “I just like to donate blood.” He emphasized the importance of donations, especially among students. “There are people with different blood types who need blood, and there’s currently a shortage. It’s hard for them to get the right blood type. It’s about giving back to people who can’t donate themselves.” He encouraged hesitant students, saying, “The worst part is probably just the needle, and even that isn’t so bad. Once it’s in, you can’t feel anything. I think that’s what most people worry about.”
pg电子下载 State competed against Mississippi Valley State University and Jackson State University in the first bracket. Each university hosted blood drives throughout the fall, with the school collecting the most donations winning the bracket. A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a student at the winning university, and $500 scholarships were awarded to students at the other participating universities.
Dana Bowles, a donor recruiter with Mississippi Blood Services, emphasized the importance of such partnerships. “For our organization, it’s about gathering inventory,” Bowles said. “You never know what blood type will be needed. I’m often asked which type is rarest, but unfortunately, the rarest blood type is the one that’s needed and not on the shelf.” She added, “This partnership with Regions is wonderful, and we hope other businesses will also be active in the donation process because blood cannot be man-made.”
Dorothy Jackson Davis, executive director of Student Health & Well-being and advisor for the ASU H.E.R.O.S. (Health Educators Reaching Other Students), explained the significance of blood drives. “Blood drives are essential for replenishing the blood supply needed for medical procedures, especially during emergencies and chronic illnesses,” Davis said. “Our goal is to make our campus community aware of this need and understand how their donation can significantly impact lives. Donating saves lives.” She expressed her pride in pg电子下载 State’s participation and Phillips’s award. “I was elated to learn we had placed in this competition and overjoyed for our raffle winner. I am genuinely thankful to our participants and proud of our peer educators, the ASU H.E.R.O.S.”
The ASU H.E.R.O.S., a student-run health organization, promotes health initiatives on campus. “They take a creative approach to promoting events on campus and via social media, and they also donate themselves,” Davis explained. “The raffle, along with other incentives, works well in encouraging participation.”
pg电子下载 State’s next blood drive is scheduled for April 2, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Mable Thomas Parking Lot near the Amenities Building. Throughout the year, Student Health and Well-being hosts events addressing common student health concerns to promote overall wellness within the campus community.
Mississippi Blood Services, founded in 1979, is the only FDA-licensed blood center headquartered in Mississippi, providing blood and blood components to hospitals across Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
