Virtual Blood Drive

I have always believed service is something you build into how you live, not something you do when convenient. As an atmospheric science student at Purdue, I’m drawn to work that directly protects others, which is why organizing a virtual blood drive through Vitalant felt like a natural extension of that instinct. Blood donation requires no special equipment or training, just someone willing to show up, and I wanted to create that opportunity for my community. This same value shaped my choice to study atmospheric science, where accurate forecasts save lives, and my leadership on campus. Hospitals depend on a steady blood supply for emergencies and surgeries, yet donor shortages persist. One donation can save up to three lives, so organizing this drive was a direct way to close that gap and lower the barrier for my peers to take action. As an out-of-state student managing tuition and loan debt while planning for a master’s and Ph.D., this scholarship would ease that burden and let me stay focused on the service-driven work I care about most. Whether issuing a tornado warning or encouraging someone to donate blood, the principle is the same: show up for others when it counts.