CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Great times were had during the launch of the new Collegiate Hero Program at Del Mar College.
Students gathered for games and fun but most importantly to learn about the impact when it comes to giving blood, and a new graduation medal incentive that comes along with it.
Del Mar's Student Government Association president, Sofia Jimenez, explained how students who are participate in the initiative are more than donors—they're heroes.
"When they walk across that stage, with that medal of merit, we're not just seeing someone that's donating blood but we're seeing a hero," Jimenez said.
Jimenez can relate personally to a stranger being a hero in her own family.
"I've had different family members with different medical conditions, and they've needed blood and it's been very vital to their living," Jimenez said. "So definitely people who donate, are very important to me."
A blood transfusion is needed every two seconds in the United States, maybe even for one of your loved ones. Due to the nature of the need, the Director of Student Leadership and Campus Life, Beverley Cage, said the program allows multiple ways for not only a life to be saved, but for every student to be part of the program.
"If you can't give blood and you have a family member that can, they can donate on your behalf," Cage said. "So you still are not left out, we want you to be able to have someone to give blood on your behalf so you can participate and receive that nice medal and walk across the stage with it."
Many students were signing up during the event, time slots were filling up for onsite donations at the college. To ensure that no donor is turned away, Ashley Ramirez with the Coastal Bend Blood Center started referring students directly to their location.
"One in seven people walking into a hospital will need a blood transfusion," Ramirez said. "These are alarming statistics, but they're reality. The more and more that we can partner up with these community partnerships and spread that awareness, the better for our community as a whole."
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