Blood typing event: Advertising class organizes event to promote blood drive
If you’ve ever wondered what your blood type is, the process is as simple as a finger prick. A free student-led activity by the Kirkwood Principles of Advertising class, taught by Tara Allen, marketing professor, organized the college’s second blood typing event in Iowa Hall on April 8, 2024. The event allowed students to find out their blood type with the assistance of professionals. The goal of this event was to promote the Blood Drive coming up on April 15.
ImpactLife, a blood donation center based in Davenport, was there to check blood types and educate students about donating blood. Account Managers Megan Dee and Michelle Stebral assisted students at the booth. Alex Burkamper, ImpactLife community development advocate also informed students about wearing a VR headset with games as a distraction if they were nervous about getting their finger pricked.
“I never donated before when I was younger, and when I started working at the blood center, it just kind of connected all the dots to me, the need for this in the community. Working here really opened my eyes and I think it is a great opportunity for students.” Dee stated about her involvement with the event.
Allen expressed her enthusiasm for involving marketing students with the events, recognizing it as an opportunity for direct experience with planning events. “Our blood typing event we had last time is why we are here a second time to promote the Blood Drive. The event was the largest blood typing event we’ve ever seen,” she said.
Allen added, “This is not only a project, but it is my marketing students’ favorite project and they can get hands-on experience in event planning, communication and advertising.” Transitioning from the marketing students’ perspective to the impact on other students, the event not only served as a valuable project but also inspired individuals like Tathiana Mangi, social work, who expressed her new desire to donate blood. “I thought it would be interesting to know my blood type. Now, I want to donate blood to save lives. This event definitely helped me to encourage to donate blood.”
The blood drive event will be held on Monday, April 15, 2024, in Iowa Hall rooms A-D from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, contact tara.allen@kirkwood.edu.
Liz is a second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also works at 88.3 KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. After receiving her associate degree from Kirkwood, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist and Reporter/News Anchor for KCCI in Des Moines or another station in Iowa.
Categories: Campus News, News
