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As the new school year gets underway, Benedictine College students are being offered a unique way to give back—not with money or time, but with something only they can give: blood.
This fall, the campus blood drive returns, coordinated by the Benedictine College Student Nurses Association (BCSNA) in partnership with the American Red Cross. The event invites students, faculty, and staff to donate blood that will help save lives across Kansas and Missouri—including nearby communities like Atchison and Leavenworth.
Though donating blood may seem like a small gesture, its impact stretches far and wide. Blood is essential in treating patients with trauma, cancer treatments, performing surgeries, and more. There’s no artificial replacement for it, and hospitals rely on a steady supply to care for patients every day.
Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Kristy Callahan emphasized that blood drives are not only vital for public health—they’re also closely tied to Benedictine’s core mission. She explained that the act of donating blood reflects the college’s values of service and compassion, giving students a chance to make a real difference in the lives of others.
“For Benedictine, blood drives are an expression of our mission of service and faith,” she said.
“They give students a tangible way to make a life-saving difference and to live out our values of caring for others.”
Many people who are hesitant to donate may not realize how safe and simple the process actually is. According to Callahan, donations are overseen by trained professionals, and most donors describe the experience as a quick, nearly painless one. More importantly, that short moment can have a lasting, life-saving impact.
“Most people say it feels like a small pinch, but the impact is huge,” she noted.
Lucia Mikita, a sophomore biology major, shared her personal experience with giving blood.
“I’ve only done it twice, but it’s one of those things where my thought process is, ‘I want to help, and this is a way I can do that.’ Deep down, I know it’s so much more than just volunteering at a food drive. I can’t donate often because of my tattoos, but as a student, I can encourage others to do it, and donating really does save lives. I’m glad to be part of that process.”
The drive is organized each year by a senior nursing student, who works with the Red Cross to choose a date that works for both the college and the organization. From there, BCSNA leads the effort to promote the event, recruit donors, and support volunteers.
Beyond the logistical side, students who participate become part of something much bigger—a network of people quietly stepping up to help others in their time of need.
Mikita described what it’s like to watch the process in action.
“It’s a bit surreal watching your blood leave your body, but there’s something cool about it too. You feel like a superhero knowing your blood is going to save a life.”
She also had advice for anyone feeling uncertain about donating.
“If you’re nervous, just remind yourself that you’re literally a superhero life saver for donating. Your blood will make the difference between life and death for someone, and that mindset gives a sense of power and purpose.”
As the blood drive kicks off, it’s not just about filling bags—it’s about filling lives with hope, one donation at a time.