Everyday Heroes: A view beyond the blood

If you’re familiar with the American Red Cross blood service, you have likely heard the same statistic: that 37 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, but only 10 percent ever will. When working with the millions of donors and volunteers worldwide, it is apparent how diverse is the group of individuals who really dedicate their time. Behind every participant are real experiences that push them to give back to their community.

On June 9, a blood drive was held honoring Charles R. Drew (1904-1950), the first African-American Red Cross medical director. The drive was an encouragement for new and infrequent donors to give. It was sponsored by a variety of Greek Letter Organizations, as Drew was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Many of their present members went beyond volunteering and decided to donate.