Greek Life Unites for Lifesaving Blood Drive at SEMO

Greek life organizations at Southeast Missouri State University have come together to make a life-saving impact by hosting a blood drive on campus in the recreation center. This event is set to take place from March 2-5.

The blood drive is an annual event on campus at SEMO and is the kickoff event for Greek Week.

Greek Week is a week in the spring semester where Greek organizations team up to compete in various events and games to promote unity between the chapters.

This is usually the first of the Greek Week events where organizations can earn points by having the most amount of people volunteer to work or donate. This allows the blood drive to be competitive between the organizations while benefitting the community. but also something beneficial for the community.

Abbey Rudisaile, a senior elementary education major member of the Gamma Phi Beta Soroity and Greek Week executive board member, organized the blood drive.

One of the reasons Rudisaile wanted to be on this board was because she wanted to show others what she believes Greek life really is.

“No one really sees the community service, philanthropy, or friendships Greek life brings you, and I just really want to show people that,” Rudisaile said.

The drive is in collaboration with the Red Cross organization who work primarily in Missouri and Arkansas.

Rudisaile worked with the Red Cross to set up dates and times to send volunteers for blood donations. These dates are then coordinated with the university to reserve space in the recreation center. The Greek organizations are given the dates of the event a semester earlier so they can know it well in advance.

Rudisaile hopes that the drive can spur people to donate and reach their goal of 480 units. Since Covid the blood drive’s expectations have been lower. However, this year, they are hoping to see a significant jump in donors.