Matt Crutchfield, senior staff writer
Sharp needles and blood make some people squeamish, but for those involved in the Bryan College Lifeblood ministry they are means to an end. The Lifeblood ministry gives students the opportunity to support orphans in India with money received through the donation of plasma.
Recently, the Lifeblood ministry began a project entitled 90/90. The goal of the project is to have 90 students donate plasma twice in 90 days. Sophomore Natalie McGehee, public relations official for Lifeblood, says that the leadership felt it was important for the ministry to establish a “tangible goal.” McGehee believes that is it important for those involved to see the impact of their sacrifice directly.
Progress
McGehee admits that the current progress of 90/90 is below expectations. After a solid first week, the 90/90 project has seen a lack of momentum, reaching just fifteen percent of the total goal. However, McGehee says that members of Lifeblood are not discouraged.
“We are encouraged by the response. The progress is good progress, just not like we envisioned,” McGehee says.
Steps Forward
Most of the steps toward reaching 90/90 involve spreading the message throughout campus. McGehee reports that they are using “every vehicle possible to advertise,” ranging from verbal reminders to signs around campus. According to McGehee, the project itself has doubled as an advertising vehicle for the ministry as a whole.
“90/90 is a structure in which to spread the idea of Lifeblood to the student body,” McGehee says.
However, the Lifeblood ministry is not only concerned with their own cause. McGehee encourages students to become involved in any form of Christian service.
“Choose something. There is no excuse to not be involved in a ministry,” McGehee says.
Vice President of Lifeblood sophomore Rachel Solid echoes this idea, stressing the importance of Lifeblood as an outlet for Christian ministry. She says that 90/90 has become a way for students become aware of the opportunities.
“The purpose of 90/90 is to get more students involved and excited about Lifeblood and sacrificial giving in general,” Solid says.
Student Involvement
Some of the hesitation to become involved in Lifeblood is simply the nature of the ministry. Many people are either nervous about the idea of giving blood or unable to donate because of various reasons.
However, the act of donating plasma is not the only method for involvement in Lifeblood. McGehee says there are many more opportunities to become involved:
• Leadership Opportunities
• Website Development
• Drivers over 21
• Spokesperson Opportunities
• Media Advertisement
• Volunteer Work
McGehee says there is an opening for “anyone who has a remote interest” in joining the Lifeblood ministry.
Those interested can contact President Junior Hayden Lavo, Solid or McGehee.