NCCU Blood Drive to Honor Alumnus, Capitol Police Officer David Bailey

Durham, NC – While a student at North Carolina Central University, alumnus David Bailey assisted with numerous blood collection events on campus. Now, the NCCU community is holding a special American Red Cross blood drive in his honor.

 

Bailey, 32, a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Force, was on duty June 14 when a shooter opened fire during Congressional softball practice in Alexandria, Va. He has been hailed since for his bravery in helping to subdue the suspect.

 

“This year, our annual summer blood drive is being held in honor of David Bailey’s dedication to the university motto ‘Truth and Service,’” said Lois Pettiford, assistant in the Department of Public Health Education, which sponsors the blood drive. “He demonstrated those traits as an undergraduate student and as an Eagle alumnus.”

 

Bailey, who graduated in 2007, frequently helped organize blood drives at the Alphonso Elder Student Union, recruiting his Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. brothers to pitch in, as well, Pettiford said.“He would assist with setting up the blood drives and, often, with closing them down after finishing classes for the day,” Pettiford said. “Thanks to David and the other Alphas, we often exceeded our goals.”

 

NCCU has been recognized by the American Red Cross on multiple occasions for outstanding blood drive collections.

 

“Historically, this university has been a model collector of blood donations, particularly of minority blood, and is recognized by the Red Cross as a model,” said Seronda Robinson, chair of the Department of Public Health Education.

 

Many colleges and high schools skip such events in the summer months because most students are away, but NCCU has made a point to continue the drives every summer, Robinson added.

 

“The Red Cross is appreciative of our summer drives because that’s the time when there is a great need due to automobile wrecks and other accidents, yet there aren’t as many donations coming in,” she added.

 

The July 25 drive at NCCU honoring Bailey will take place Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to the public. Nearby parking will be available.

 

Almost anyone who is healthy, weighs more than 110 pounds and is 18 – or 17 with parental consent – is eligible to give blood.

 

Contrary to widely held beliefs, use of prescription or non-prescription drugs, smoking, or having professional tattoos do not prohibit donors from giving participating. The phlebotomy staff will screen all donations for the presence of HIV and those results are confidential, Robinson added.

 

Volunteers can learn about upcoming blood drives in their area, make appointments and track their donations through a new app available by texting BLOODAPP to the Red Cross at 90999.

 

“For people who say they don’t donate because they don’t know how their blood is used, this gives them the answer – whether it was a car accident or some other incident,” Robinson said. “It’s important to give blood, especially this time of year.”

 

For more information, please contact the Department of Public Health Education at 919-530-6422.

  

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Selected as 2016 HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, technology, nursing, education, law, business and the arts. Founded in 1910 as a liberal arts college for African-Americans, NCCU remains committed to diversity in higher education. Our alumni excel in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Visit www.nccu.edu.