Donate Blood During the Beat Big Blue Blood Drive This Week

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Gary Jackson and Mackenzie Mollner showing off the shirts that blood donors will receive, as well as other potential swag.

The Beat Big Blue Blood Drive will be happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Tuesday, Feb. 28, and running through March 3 at various campus locations. Give blood to help others.

When it comes to blood drives, U of A junior Gary Jackson knows a lot about how impactful they can be on your life and those you love. 

"When I was in fifth grade, I was with my dad when he suffered a traumatic injury that left him in the ICU for 18 days. There were times when me, my brother and my sister did not know if he was coming home," Jackson said. "Words cannot describe the feeling of having someone you love to be in that situation, and there is not a thing you can do to help them."

Jackson said his dad received multiple blood transfusions and was able to come home to his family. He recalls it being an emotional time filled with laughter and tears as they were able to be together again.

"I know that I now join so many families where we would not be whole without others taking the time to donate blood," Jackson said. "The people that saved my dad may never know who I am, but I will never forget what they did."

Going into this year as the director of physical health of the Associated Student Government, Jackson had big plans. Together he and student body president Lauren Loften were able to orchestrate an upcoming blood drive that he hopes to be the largest blood drive in U of A history.

"We were looking at other SEC schools and saw how many hosted annual blood drives that are some of the largest in the nation, so we decided we could certainly do something like that on our campus," Loften said.

Jackson and Loften have worked with the Arkansas Red Cross and numerous other groups to hold a blood drive from Feb. 28 to March 3 called the "Beat Big Blue Blood Drive" that will be happening in the week leading up to the men's Razorback basketball game against Kentucky on March 4.

"I want this to be a meaningful experience for those who take the time to donate, which I hope is everyone. All members of our Razorback family, from undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff are welcome," Jackson said. "We are giving all donors a custom-made Razorback shirt, a $10 visa gift card, free food, bags of chocolate and then will be having a raffle for a chance to win tickets to the game, signed basketballs from Coach Eric Musselman and much more."

Jackson is asking everyone on campus who can, to take part in the blood drive.

"Trust me, I know donating blood isn't fun. I'm a pre-med student scared of needles," Jackson laughed. "But this gives us a chance to join together and do something larger than any one of us. With as strong as our Razorback community is, I can't wait to see what we accomplish. Make sure to eat well and drink water the night before and the day of donating, and join me in bleeding Razorback Red!"

The Beat Big Blue Blood Drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 28 to March 3 each day at the following locations: 

• Feb. 28 in the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom
• March 1 in HPER 3rd Floor Gym 4
• March 2 in HPER 3rd Floor Gym 4
• March 3 in the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom

For more information, visit the Red Cross website.