Nov. 30, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
The gift of life is the best present a person could receive this Holiday Season. On Thursday, December 7, the Illinois State baseball team will offer that gift to people in need by sponsoring and donating blood at its annual blood drive, held in conjunction with the American Red Cross.
The drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the campus of Illinois State in the Redbird Club Room at Redbird Arena. Baseball head coach Jim Brownlee knows how important it is for his team to be involved with the Red Cross, and hopes that the turnout will be as successful as in previous years.
"This is a good way for our players and others to get involved and give something back to the community that supports them so much," said Brownlee. "Blood donations typically decrease during the winter as people get busy with travel plans or because of the weather. It's because of that reason why we typically hold our drive in December each year and try to help offset that decline in giving."
The turnout for the blood drive last year was the most successful it has been in four years. The 75 pints collected potentially helped over 225 patients at local hospitals. Brownlee believes that type of turnout speaks highly of the ISU community and the student-athletes that give their time to help with community service projects with organizations such as the Red Cross.
"I think our students helping out with events like this are some of the things that go unnoticed in our community," said Brownlee. "It's unbelievable to think that our student-athletes combined to work over 2,000 community service hours last year and that just speaks highly of them and (Assistant Athletics Director/Academics and Life Skills) Jane Fulton and her staff. I just hope we can have a bigger turnout this year."
To make an appointment or for more information on the blood drive, call (309) 438-3633.
