We hear over and over again that UALR is a community-minded university. But what exactly does that mean?

In countless ways large and small, the employees and students at UALR help out one another, the surrounding neighborhoods, and central Arkansas. The UALR Staff Senate is one such campus organization that lends a helping hand throughout the year, whether it be donating food baskets at the holidays to volunteering at Red Cross blood drives.

Blood drives are vital to our community. Area hospitals depend on our donations to help save lives – we are that important to the process. We promise to give a certain amount, and if we fall short, patients in life-threatening situations are put in peril. What we give does make a huge difference. Just one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

This hits home for many of us. I’ve heard time and again of personal stories of family members urgently needing blood, and of lifetime donors who were inspired to give and continue giving because a close friend came close to dying.

January is National Blood Donor Month as well as the the kickoff month for the We Challenge U program, which means it’s the ideal time for Trojans across campus to roll up their sleeves and give.

Donors not only will get that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with helping, they will receive cookies and a T-shirt.

Make plans to give blood on Wednesday, Jan. 22. The Red Cross will be in DSC Ledbetter Rooms B & C from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. You can go ahead and make an appointment online, or walk in the day of. Just please bring your donor card or government-issued ID card (your UALR card isn’t enough).