This week, on Oct. 5, our first annual Greek Week Blood Drive was held in the Mt Denali Gym. This event went on all day from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and many students stopped by to donate their blood. Greek Week consists of all Greek Life organizations on campus competing on teams against each other in races such as, a school supply drive, blood drive, can-struction, and field day. In the end, a trophy is awarded to each chapter on the winning team. 

Many students and people from the surrounding community participated in the donation. Some were excited to donate blood, but others felt a tad bit nervous as getting your blood drawn can be an intimidating experience. In an interview with the STAR, second year communications and media studies major Nicole Elissiry described her feelings about the blood drive,  “A lot of my family have benefitted off of donated blood before, so I figured it would be a good way to give back. I have not donated blood before so I’m a little nervous, but it’ll be worth it.” 

It’s important to give back to our community and support people in any ways we can, especially when we have seen those close to us affected; it makes a lasting impact to know that you can pay it forward. 

Second year and early childhood development major Abigail Reutlinger said “I’m donating blood for Greek Week. I’m in Alpha Gamma Delta and we’re Team Pop also teamed up with Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Pi Alpha. This is actually my first time donating blood but I’m not that nervous.” The race is on!

SSU’s Fraternity and Sorority life community sponsored this month’s blood drive along with Vitalent, which is a nonprofit organization that collects blood from volunteer donors and provides blood. Vitalant is deeply committed to making a transformative difference, and ensuring patients have the blood they need to see tomorrow. 

With coordination help, we had fraternity and sorority life advisor Abbie Page say, “I am the fraternity and sorority life advisor in student involvement, and this is our first annual Greek week blood drive. We have six teams participating in Greek Week, which includes our nineteen chapters that we have. They’re all paired together on a team and they were encouraged to come out today and volunteer for the blood drive and donate blood.” This event not only allows all Greek Life to bond, it gives back to the community in many ways. 

If you’re interested in giving back to the community, be sure to attend the upcoming event titled Sustainable Seawolf Fair. This event will discuss the importance in our campus community, surrounding community and the world around us. As well as combining your personal ideas on how you can do your part. It will take place on Wed. Oct. 12 in the Seawolf Plaza and you can check out more details about this event on the Seawolf Living instagram or website.