One pint of blood can save up to three lives.
Since it began its “50 Gallon Challenge” six years ago, Tyler Junior College has met – and exceeded – its annual goal, collectively raising more than 250 gallons of the blood and potentially saving more than 6,000 lives.
TJC will host its sixth annual “50 Gallon Challenge” blood drive 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 27-31, 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, including a $50 Visa gift card that will be given each day. Special items will also be given to donors on specific days.
“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 easy and 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” five years ago, when students realized there was a need to help replenish the community blood supply during the spring break period.
Jacque Decker, Carter BloodCare manager of operations and field recruitment, said, “We see a drop in donations at this time each year, and TJC’s ‘50 Gallon Challenge’ was created to help combat that problem.
“Our partnership with TJC and its students every March is vital to the East Texas blood supply. Our representatives will be handling the collections as we try to reach the 50-gallon goal. Fifty gallons of blood can potentially save up to 1,200 lives here in East Texas.”
Dates, giveaways and locations include:
Monday, March 27, “Movie Monday”
Donate and receive a free movie ticket.
Donations can be made at Rogers Student Center on Lake Street, 2nd floor, or Robert M. Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center at the corner of Fifth St. and Fleishel Ave., 1st floor
Tuesday, March 28, “Taco Tuesday”
Donate and receive free tacos.
Rogers Student Center, 2nd floor, or Robert M. Rogers Nursing & Health Sciences Center, 1st floor.
Wednesday, March 29, “Winner Wednesday”
Donate and receive a ticket for a free Aramark meal, a free 50 Gallon Challenge lanyard and double entries for prize drawings.
Rogers Student Center Apache Rooms, or mobile location at Intramural Field on Palmer Avenue.
Thursday, March 30, “Thirsty Thursday”
Donate and receive a free Starbucks gift card.
Rogers Student Center Apache Rooms, or mobile location at 5th St. and Baxter.
Friday, March 31, “Frozen Friday”
Donate and receive a free Dairy Queen Blizzard.
Rogers Student Center Apache Rooms, or mobile location at 5th St. and Baxter.
Special designated parking places will be reserved for the public who plan to donate.