One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
Since Tyler Junior College began the “50 Gallon Challenge” eight years ago, it has met – and exceeded – its annual goal, raising more than 350 gallons of the blood and potentially saving more than 8,400 lives.
TJC will host its eighth annual “50 Gallon Challenge” blood drive 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 25-29, at various locations on the TJC main campus. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and will be entered to win prizes each day.
A kick-off event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 25, in the parking lot on Lake Street, near Rogers Student Center. The event will include a live band, bounce house and free food. The public is invited to attend.
“Tyler is a very giving community and we rely on their support to help us reach this big goal,” said TJC’s Director of Student Life Lauren Tyler. “Each year we’ve held the blood drive, we’ve had great support from our students, faculty and staff and the great people of Tyler.
“Our students work hard throughout the week at various points on campus to help make it convenient for people to donate. We encourage the public to come by to help with this life-saving effort.”
TJC teamed with Carter BloodCare for the “50 Gallon Challenge” eight years ago, when students realized there was a need to help replenish the community blood supply during the spring break period.
Each donor receives a free T-shirt and opportunities to win prizes. Special designated parking areas will be reserved for members of the public who plan to donate.
Donation dates and locations include:
• Monday, March 25: Rogers Student Center on Lake Street or at Robert M. Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center at the corner of E. Fifth St. and Fleishel Ave.
• Tuesday, March 26: Rogers Student Center or mobile location at Robert M. Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center
• Wednesday, March 27: Rogers Student Center or mobile location at Ornelas Health & Physical Education Center
• Thursday, March 28: Rogers Student Center or mobile location at Ornelas Health & Physical Education Center
• Friday, March 29: Rogers Student Center
Blood donations can also be made at the Carter BloodCare Donor Center located at 815 S. Baxter Ave.
For more information, call the TJC Center for Student Life & Involvement at 903-510-2797.
Be The Match Registry
During the challenge, donors can also volunteer to be on the Be The Match Registry, which services the National Marrow Donor Program in the United States.
It helps find life-saving stem cell and marrow transplants for people diagnosed with blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma and more than 70 other illnesses.
Two years ago, then-TJC student Aaron Dees was a match for a cancer patient and underwent a bone marrow transplant, and the man is now in complete remission.
A current TJC student was recently notified that he is a possible match for another patient in need.
Special guest at Monday’s kick-off event will be Emi, a 12-year-old Longview-area patient with a rare condition called Dock8 immunodeficiency syndrome. Emi is hoping a match will be found for a stem cell donor.