Students give blood to save lives

By Emily Roman

Published April 18, 2008

The site of the Greek Week “Bloodstock ‘08” blood drive was easy to spot with the hordes of MU students and American Red Cross vans routinely entering and exiting the Hearnes Center last week.

Inside the building, music blasted as students lined up to donate their blood and participate in the cause.

The Greek Week blood drive is a 20-year-old tradition, Greek Week Tri-Director Phil Saettele said. But students who are not involved in a Greek organization are also encouraged to donate blood, he said.

“Everyone is encouraged to give,” he said. “But no one is forced to give.”

During Greek Week, sororities and fraternities compete to accumulate the most points to become the Greek Week winner. Each chapter receives points for each person who donates on behalf of their sorority or fraternity.

Even though being the winner of the week is important to each house, helping people in need is the most important thing, Saettele said.

“More than anything, three people are saved by one unit of blood,” Saettele said. “The most important thing is the people we save.”

After going through the process of donating blood, each person was assisted by one of the volunteers who presented a variety of food options, including pizza, juice, ice cream and chips. Each donor received a free “Bloodstock ‘08” T-shirt upon leaving the building as well.

Seniors Melissa Gnade and Kendall Buenemann came to give blood together after being asked to donate by friends who are members of Greek organizations.

Gnade said she has always given blood two times a year, including during Greek Week.

“I’m donating to save three lives because I might need blood one day,” Buenemann said.

Buenemann said after donating she feels like she contributed to someone who needs it.

“Getting a needle stuck in your arm is nothing to look forward to, but helping people is most important,” Saettele said. “It makes you feel really good.”

Alpha Delta Pi sorority member Mishelle Martinez said she participated to earn points for her house but also because “it’s a good way to get involved with not only my sorority, but with the community too.”

Martinez said she encouraged her friends to donate. She said it was important to show that Greek students can help within the community, and they are not all about social events but can come together for a cause.

Saettele said Greek Week skits are a great way to entertain students but giving blood is a way to reach out to the community.

“There are so many members in the Greek community,” Saettele said. “This just makes sense.”