Spring Hill College hosted a campus-wide blood drive on Wednesday, March 4, in Gautrelet from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in collaboration with the American Red Cross. Organized by Campus Ministry, the event reflected the college’s ongoing commitment to service and community engagement.

The main goal of the blood drive extended beyond the act of donation itself. Organizers said the event was an opportunity to live out the Jesuit mission of being “men and women for and with others.”

“The main goal was living out our Jesuit values of being men and women for and with others,” an organizer said. “Doing that could simply be through the gift of time and taking a moment to give back to the community.”

The drive came at a critical time. According to organizers, the American Red Cross was facing a severe blood shortage, with hospital supplies significantly reduced. The shortage was especially serious for O, A negative and B negative blood types, though donors of all blood types were urgently needed.

Students, faculty, and staff were able to participate by signing up through QR codes posted around campus and on social media. While pre-registration was encouraged, walk-ins were also accepted during the event. Donors checked in with a valid form of ID, completed a brief health screening and health history, and then proceeded with the donation process under the supervision of Red Cross professionals.

Student volunteer Greenly Duplantis described the experience as both impactful and rewarding.

“It was a really good experience to help,” Duplantis said. “It made me feel like I was truly part of the community and able to give back in a meaningful way.”

Campus Ministry said it hoped the event would not only help address the blood shortage but also strengthen the SHC community’s commitment to service. Through this initiative, Spring Hill continued providing students with opportunities to put faith into action and make a tangible difference in the lives of others.