To collect 885 units of blood within 11 hours on a university campus is no small task, and it is certainly not a feat that many people would take on as volunteers. Nevertheless, for the fourth year, Senior 2 nursing students Jessica Honeycutt and Adam King have worked together to coordinate and host the campus-wide “49ers for Life Blood Drive.”
According to both Jessica and Adam, the Jan. 22 event marked the most successful blood drive ever held at UNC Charlotte. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of students, faculty, and staff, an estimated 2,655 lives will be saved.
Jessica and Adam began to plan and organize the event in October, while also completing the rigorous senior nursing curriculum. They collaborated with several student organizations and departments on campus to help promote the event and to recruit donors and volunteers. The Association of Nursing Students (ANS) and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) were heavily involved in the project.
Jessica and Adam said the time it took to plan and execute the event was well worth it, adding that giving back to the community is a value at the heart of the nursing profession.
“We have made history for the fourth year at UNC Charlotte, but it’s not about any of the personal recognition we receive, as we are so proud and grateful for everything that everyone involved has done over the past few years to make this event remarkable,” they said.
Adam and Jessica are pictured with UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois.