SIUE Upward Bound Students Impact Lives with Blood Drive
Twenty-seven-year-old Rashad Adams, of Cahokia, took time on a sweltering afternoon, Friday, July 15, to donate blood at the ImpactLife Bloodmobile on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus because his sister asked him to.
Fifteen-year-old London Dent, of Cahokia, Southern University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Upward Bound (UB) EC/BEM student made the request of her brother, because she was too young to donate in the 3rd annual TRIO Upward Bound Blood Drive. The minimum age for donation is 16.
“When a presenter came to our school, I saw how important it is to give blood and how many lives you can save by just one person donating blood,” said Dent. “So, because I couldn’t donate, I thought it would be good for my brother to come and save a life.”
“In our science class, we were talking about the human body and the cardiovascular system,” explained UB science teacher Akiya Perry. “We looked at how blood circulates through the body, and why it’s important to have a good heart. We coupled that with the blood drive for community service.”
“There are also many African Americans who have the disease sickle cell anemia or the trait,” she continued. “It’s extremely important for African Americans to give, because those suffering from sickle cell anemia need blood from people who are compatible. If there are not a lot of people who are giving with the same blood type antigens, they can still get blood, transfusions of course, but it’s not as effective.”
“The blood drive reached its goal of 15 units of whole blood,” added Perry. “There was a total of 35 community members who donated during our allotted time frame. Our Upward Bound students, staff and parents helped with the details and other matters. Next time, we plan to have an additional bloodmobile so more people and students can donate.”
Earlier in the month, students took a field trip to the ImpactLife blood processing center, where they learned how blood is screened, processed and sent to local hospitals, including Touchette Regional in Centreville, according to Perry.
“The blood drive is a good way to connect the community to our program,” said Chris Cooper, interim director of Upward Bound EC/BEM-Math & Science. “Ms. Perry and the TRIO Upward Bound students worked hard to reach people in our communities for this event. In the fall semester, we will have more community outreach projects to help bridge our students and program to the community through service.”
Upward Bound programs help youth prepare for higher education and serves students from East St. Louis and Cahokia (EC), and Brooklyn, East St. Louis Charter and Madison (BEM) High Schools. Participants receive instruction in literature, composition and STEM subjects on college campuses after school, on Saturdays and during the summer. The quality services provided will prepare the students for successful high school completion and entrance into post-secondary programs. Upward Bound is a college-preparatory program designed to serve low-income and/or potential first-generation college students who are currently in grades 9-12.
Photos:
Katie Sargent, ImpactLife collection specialist and driver, takes blood from Rashad Adams, of Cahokia.
Manning the registration table from left to right are: Victoria Cook, Ciara Lyons, Amauri Luster, Temyra Lindsey and Alayah Stanley.
