Eta Sigma Gamma Wins National Award For Blood Drive

Last year, the Texas A&M chapter of Eta Sigma Gamma—a national professional health education honorary—organized a bone marrow registry drive so successful that it was nominated and won the 2012 Service Activity of the Year.

That award had them on stage at the national American School Health Conference, but the best part—it had them in the audience during the speeches and lectures.

“We learn in a classroom and hear about all these things, but we don't get to meet people who are active and doing it,” said Kylie Wade ’14, chapter president. The conference is geared primarily for professionals in the field, so when they are able to rub elbows, and soak up stories from the heroes in the field, Wade said “it’s motivating to see what we can do, see what changes we can make.”

“It was really cool to see the passion for our field,” Wade said. “They showed how to move knowledge to action.” 

Travel to and from the conference, held in San Antonio, was partially provided through donations from former students through The Association of Former Students, and “we were very grateful for the help,” she said.

While last year’s bone marrow drive added more than 190 people to the bone marrow registry, this year, Eta Sigma Gamma’s blood drive collected more blood than—according to recent knowledge— had been collected in a drive, Wade said.

“We set up in the MSC and went all over, even up to people who were studying, and talked to them about why they should donate, how easy it is, and how one blood donation can save two different lives,” she said.

Their goal is to help and improve health, but, at the same time, their success is spreading Texas A&M’s name, she said.