Hamline University’s sorority Delta Tau organized a blood drive on Nov. 10 with the Red Cross. 

The sorority has had a tradition of holding blood drives on campus for students and community members to give to people in need.

“It’s a tradition that Delta Tau has had for many years and we try to uphold this every semester with the Red Cross,” Delta Tau’s Vice President Anjani White said. “It’s one of our big philanthropy events, I would say. And it usually goes really well like today.”

The blood drive has been a well established event that Delta Tau has put on year after year.

“We’ve been doing the blood drive, I believe since the early 2000s,” Delta Tau president Elizabeth Woolard said.  “So we host it every fall and occasionally every spring.”

The event went so well that all of the appointments had been filled and they weren’t able to take walk-ins because they were so busy. There were 30 people who donated, totaling in about 30 pints of blood given.

“We’ve gotten full signups,” Woolard said, “So our entire thing has been filled out which is unfortunately why we’re not taking walk-ins. I believe last year we were close to getting a full turnout but normally every year we get a pretty good crowd.”

Delta Tau members participated during the blood drive by taking shifts manning the check-in desk and helping people who were donating. 

The sorority focuses on philanthropy and has a mission of helping out their community in meaningful ways.

“DT is a huge philanthropic org and so we like doing things that can help the community and the blood drive is one way that we can get the community involved in also helping save lives.” said Woolard.

Delta Tau’s has a special connection with the tradition of the blood drive because some of their members have been helped by the Red Cross’ efforts.

“We’ve had quite a few sisters who have had to get blood transfusions and stuff in the past, so we find this a good way to connect with those sisters along with people in the community who are also struggling, needing blood.” White said.

The work that Delta Tau has done with the blood drive is more important than ever as there is currently a severe national blood shortage. According to Redcross.org, “The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.”

Delta Tau also has other events to help the community, like a trash pickup.

“We usually work around Snelling Avenue since it’s directly close to Hamline University and our house, said White, “So yeah, it goes really well. We usually pick up trash for two hours, and we collect a lot. We go down several blocks and it stays clean for a few weeks too. So it really does make a difference for a while.”

This semester, they will be holding a community trash pick up event and a winter clothing drive.

The Red Cross urges anyone who is able to donate. You can find a place to donate by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

For more information about Delta Tau, follow them on Instagram @deltatausorority.