Local Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter Sponsors 32nd Annual MLK Blood Drive
CHAPEL HILL, NC – As a “Day of Service” to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated sponsored its 32nd Annual MLK Blood Drive on Monday, January 15, 2024, at Hargraves Recreation Center in Chapel Hill. The American Red Cross recently announced that they are experiencing a serious blood shortage, with the number of donors being the lowest in 20 years. One official stated that “a person needs lifesaving blood every two seconds in our country.”
Despite the staggering decrease in donations, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter was able to partner with the American Red Cross and aid in the collection of 38 productive units of blood. There were 5 deferrals for various reasons, 3 insufficient blood products, and 6 walk-ins. As a result of the acts of kindness by the various blood donors, 114 lives will be positively impacted.
The late Coretta Scott King aptly stated, “Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is not only for celebration and remembrance, education and tribute, but, above all, a day of service. All across America, on the holiday, his followers perform service in hospitals, shelters, prisons, and wherever people need help. It is a day of volunteering to feed the hungry, rehabilitate housing, tutor those who can’t read, mentor at-risk youngsters, console the broken-hearted, and a thousand other projects for building the beloved community of his dream.”
As a day of service, the 32nd Annual MLK Blood Drive helped provide life to those experiencing a health problem. According to the American Red Cross, the need for blood donations still exists, so individuals are encouraged to donate. This is the unconditional love that Dr. King espoused. The idea for the blood drive was originated in 1989 by the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Area Alumnae Chapter to raise awareness for blood donations for sickle cell disease. It has evolved into an annual event to commemorate the MLK Holiday.
About Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence and scholarship; to provide support to the underserved, to educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in communities. Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has more than 1,000 chapters worldwide and has initiated over 350,000 members. The sorority uses its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness and involvement to develop its national programs. For more information, please visit www.chcaa-dst.org.
Feature image: Tishna Hall donating blood.