Temple University Athletics
SAAC & NSCS Sponsor Blood Drive on Friday
2.13.09 | General
Feb. 13, 2009
PHILADELPHIA-- Instead of buying flowers or chocolates for Valentine's Day, members of Temple University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) joined the American Red Cross to share love in a different way-- by giving blood.
The two student groups joined forces to host a blood drive on Friday at the Gittis Student Center from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The schedule of donors quickly filled to capacity with an estimated 120 potential donors, including 25 student-athletes, who signed up online for an appointment.
Additionally student-athletes volunteered during today's event, including SAAC Chair Jillian Ploof (Gibsonia, Pa.), a senior from women's crew, who helped organize the event. Other TU teams represented included men's crew, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, fencing, and volleyball.
The blood drive is the first collaboration between SAAC and another campus organization.
Junior Melissa Parker (Austin, Texas), fencing
"I could save three lives. I've never done this before, so I was a little curious. No, I wasn't afraid, but it's something new to experience. It wasn't bad at all. You don't even feel it, and it's worth it."
Sophomore Amanda Vogelman (Philadelphia, Pa.), women's soccer
"I've always given blood to help out. I started giving in high school, and I've been doing it ever since."
Senior Gabrielle Crichlow (Brooklyn, N.Y.), NSCS External Affairs Co-Chair
"SAAC expressed interest in working with us. It was an opportunity to get more people to donate blood and save as many lives as possible."
