Making a difference, one blood donor at a time

When Mat Jacowleff walks into the Blood Donor Center (BDC) at Boston Children’s Hospital, the room lights up. Whoever is sitting at the front desk gets up to shake his hand, and as he walks by the donation room, waves and smiles fill the space. Mat, a Connecticut native now studying business at Northeastern University, loves spending time at the BDC and they love having him. This all started around six months ago. At a doctor’s appointment at Boston Children’s, Mat noticed a Give Pints for Half Pints sign that read, “One pint of donated blood can help up to four children.” Recently named his fraternity’s community service chair, Mat had been looking for a way to give back to his community and thought, “What better way to do so than at Boston Children’s Blood Donor Center?” “I’ve always loved connecting people,” says Mat. “So when I saw the sign, I thought, ‘There are over 100 guys I have an influence over who are willing to help, so I might as well do what I can.'” Using influence to make a difference The following week, Mat presented this idea to his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, at their weekly chapter meeting. “I wasn’t sure if asking them to donate blood was too much to ask,” Mat recalls. “I know I hate needles and avoid them at all costs, but I was hoping that this would be the cause to bring us all together.” As hoped, Mat’s fraternity brothers stepped up. Dozens raised their hands saying they would b...
Source: Thrive, Children's Hospital Boston - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: blood donation Blood Donor Center Cynthia MacKinlay Source Type: news