Blood Drive sponsored by sisters of SAI

By Maria Sullivan
Cardinal Staff

The sisters of the Saint Mary’s University music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) sponsored the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Oct. 22 and 23 on the SMU campus.

The blood drive, organized by SAI Activities Chair Samantha Kirsch, was extremely successful and went smoothly, according to Kirsch. Around 120 people, including students, faculty and staff, donated blood. “Out of the five years that the Red Cross has held a blood drive on Saint Mary’s campus, this year has had the most donors,” said Kirsch. “Both days broke their goals of 55 donors a day.”
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This is the first year that SAI sponsored the well-known blood drive on campus, and they were more than happy to take on the responsibility, said Kirsch. “Even though we are a music fraternity, we enjoy volunteering to help within the community,” said Kirsch.

SAI President Erin Hendricks said, “It’s a lot of work and, yes, it takes enormous man power, but in the end it’s worth it when you look at the lives that are going to be potentially saved.”

Junior Jessica Paulsen, who donated blood at the drive, said, “I thought that the blood drive was well organized. The only thing that I think could have made the experience better was if there were more volunteers. Then there wouldn’t be so much waiting around to give blood.”

A blood drive will be held on campus again in March. “The sisters of SAI will be hosting it again,” said Kirsch. “We look forward to seeing everyone back again to help us with the cause.”

Chartwells donated food for the blood drive.