Lily Peterson, a nursing student, has organized blood drives, earning scholarships and helping many patients in South Dakota
Just this week, she held her third drive, which not only earned her a $500 scholarship but also collected 42 units of blood. That’s enough to help around 126 patients!
Lily started this journey in January 2024 after hearing about a scholarship program from LifeServe Blood Center. Since then, she’s hosted three successful drives, showing her talent for rallying the community and her dedication to helping others.
“It’s so simple and easy,” she says. “It takes just 20 minutes to save a life.”
So far, she’s earned $1,500 in scholarships. The program rewards students for recruiting donors, and Lily has really stepped up. She’s brought in 132 donors and collected 130 units of blood, which can be split into different components to help even more patients.
What’s really cool is how she inspires others. In her latest drive, 16 out of 36 donors were first-timers. That’s impressive, especially since only about 3% of people regularly donate blood, according to Abbie Arneson from LifeServe Blood Center.
“Lily’s achievements are remarkable,” Abbie said. “Her drives have introduced many to the importance of donating blood.”
Lily uses social media and her personal connections to recruit donors. She’s not shy about approaching strangers to talk about blood donation, even if it feels a bit awkward at first.
“It’s important,” she says. “The more I do it, the easier it gets.”
Her efforts are not just about saving lives; they’ve also helped her grow personally. Organizing these drives has boosted her confidence and improved her people skills.
“It’s rewarding for me too,” she shares. “I’ve learned a lot about leadership and connecting with others.”
Lily is committed to this cause. Her drives consistently attract more donors than the average, which is usually around 20 to 25.
“It’s a lot of work, but knowing I’ve helped save lives makes it all worth it,” she says. “The more effort you put in, the more rewarding it is.”
Her timing is crucial, especially in winter when donations typically drop. Her drives help meet the urgent need for blood at local hospitals.
With three successful drives behind her, she’s already planning her next one for July 2025. If you want to donate, you can schedule an appointment at www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800-287-4903.
