Someone Pinch Me!

This is it! What we have all been anticipating for months on end is finally closer than ever. Amidst all the excitement is a whirlwind of packing and final preparations for next week. I can't believe that this Friday, I will be heading to our state's "famously hot" capital city of Columbia for Miss South Carolina 2012! My feelings are a combination of excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and relief that this week is finally among us. Next week will be the week that some of my lifelong dreams since I was little girl will come true, the largest one being the fact that I'm actually a Miss South Carolina contestant. I will finally have the chance to play the piano on the Miss South Carolina stage, and I couldn't be more thrilled, or nervous, about that! I look at this like the biggest recital of my life thus far, and as a launching pad for my next big adventure of going to Miss America! Is this real life? Some pinch me, please!


For most of us, we will never forget the first time we met or heard one of our Miss South Carolina state titleholders speak. I know I won't! By the time I was in Junior High, all the school districts in Clarendon County had implemented Character Counts week, of which Miss South Carolina became a vital part. During that week, she spends all of her time traveling around my home county speaking in nearly all of the schools and she even performs her talent. The first Miss South Carolina I ever heard speak was Miss South Carolina 2006, Shelley Benthall. I can vividly remember sitting in the gymnasium at Manning Junior High School, soaking up every bit of what Shelley was saying and thinking to myself that I was going to be doing what she was one day. From then on, I was determined to not only compete in Miss SC, but be Miss SC so that I may travel around our state and make an impact on other people's lives just like Shelley had made an impact on mine! I can even remember her awe-inspiring voice filling the gym as she sang one of my favorite songs, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." That first encounter with a Miss SC that I had is what inspired me to be the contestant and local title holder I am today. It is my greatest hope to be blessed with the opportunity to be a wonderful Miss SC just like all of the former queens who fill the vibrant history of this organization. Making a difference and impacting other people's lives is what this is all about. I've had the opportunity to do so as a local titleholder, and now, I would love nothing more than to take that support and inspiration of others to the state level.


A few weeks ago, some of the other Miss SC and Miss SC Teen contestants went on an Adventurous Journey for the Duke of Edinburgh award. From scavenger hunts to s'mores and sharing in laughter around the campfire, I think I can speak for all of the girls when I say we had a blast! Not only was it a fun experience, it was an motivational one as well. We were blessed to have the opportunity to hear from former Miss SC, Dawn Smith Jordan, as she shared her life story and her talent with us. It's easy to see why she was such a wonderful, inspiring Miss SC and she has definitely made an impact on my life. As I go into competition next week, I fully intend to keep her message in mind. I won't forget Proverbs 3:5-6, and I will be sure to MILK this experience for ALL that it is worth!

Between Blood Drives and Children's Miracle Network Fundraisers and practices and training sessions these past few weeks, time has surely flown by. This past weekend was the end of my appearances before we take Columbia by storm. The Miss Hartsville Scholarship Organization hosted a Send-Off Party and Wardrobe Showing in Hartsville for us, and I was so happy to finally get to model my Miss SC competition wardrobe for the first time. When I slipped into our stunning opening number dress by Tony Bowls, it really sunk in that, "Oh my gosh, I'm really doing this." With such amazing support from my wonderful, kind LED, Mrs. Lynn and the Miss Hartsville Committee as well as my parents, family, and my fellow queens and their delightful families, I am well prepared and ready to do my very best and to make each and every one of them proud. 

After I've zipped the last zipper on my dress bags and luggage and crank up my car to leave Manning for Columbia, I know I will be anxious, but I'm confident I'll be even more so relieved. After months of preparation and anticipation, it will be time to shine! I'm going to head to Columbia feeling blessed to have such supportive parents, friends, fellow queens, and sponsors by my side. I want to thank everyone who has ever believed in me and that I could make it to this point. Your faith is the fire that will be lighting me up when I hit the stage and step into my interview next week. I'm going in with the confidence that I am your next Miss SC, but no matter what the outcome will be, I know God has a special plan for me and I intend to live out what is meant to be to the fullest extent. When it is all said and done, I have made more new friends than I could have ever imagined possible and being a local queen has opened so many doors to fantastic opportunities that I am beyond grateful for. The experience is definitely unique and irreplaceable! 

All I have to say is Columbia better watch out. Starting this weekend, the queens are coming to make the "famously hot" capital city even hotter! HERE WE COME! Miss South Carolina 2012 is here! 

A Month of Life Savers and Miracle Makers!

During my reign as Miss Greater Hartsville, I have had the opportunity to be a part of many inspiring and rewarding events. However, I never anticipated that the beginning of my summer after college would have been a month full of the most fulfilling and significant events to take place since the moment I was blessed with the crown. I have had the distinct honor of being impacted this past month by miracle makers at the CMN Telethon at McLeod's Children's Hospital in Florence and by life savers at my two American Red Cross Blood Drives in Hartsville and Manning. As I'm sitting here writing this blog today, I can't help but get chills when I think of how many people stepped out to make a difference within the last month. It's amazing the mountains that can be moved with a little bit of dedication, determination, and making a difference.

This amazing life-saving venture began in Hartsville with my Blood Drive that I hosted at the First Presbyterian Church on May 19th. With my platform being "Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save a Life," it was important for me to to not only organize and host the drive, but also be  a hero myself and donate. That made my 7th pint donated since I turned 16, and now as a 19 year old, I potentially saved up to 21 lives with my 7 donations. Along with my donation at the Hartsville drive, there were also 17 other pints collected there, giving us a grand total of 18 pints collected. Though we didn't meet our donation goal, that is still 18 more pints than we had at the beginning and that is an amazing thing. With the current blood deficit that is facing our entire nation, it's more important than ever for all of us to be a hero. With only 5% of the population being eligible to be blood donors and with blood being in higher demand than ever expected, it is crucial for all of us to be life savers!

The month doesn't stop there! In between my two blood drives, I was presented with the opportunity to spend the first weekend in June with the miracle kids from McLeod's Children's Hospital in Florence! The fun started with games and dinner with the miracle kids at the weekend kick-off event and carnival on Friday night! My job was to work the frog toss game, and one of the most rewarding things was the sparkle in the eye and bright smile of a young child just from a little bit of encouragement or a small prize that comes along with a sense of accomplishment. It was a night of fun and enjoyment, and holding back tears as one of the miracle children sang a song about the angels who were watching over her as she was in a coma at the hospital. Following that event, on Saturday I volunteered at the phone bank for the CMN Telethon with WBTW Channel 13! Donors called in as they heard of the stories of hope and love that were shared by the miracle children and their families. It was amazing to be able to help the miracle makers make miracles in the hospital by graciously donating their own funds. The event was nothing short of successful, with more than $1,000,000 being collected for the children at McLeod's. Now that's a million miracles made!

I admit I believed it would be difficult to top a weekend of miracle makers, however the beginning of the weekend following the CMN weekend was certainly awe-inspiring. After months of planning and preparation, the day finally arrived for my final blood drive before Miss South Carolina: my blood drive I co-hosted with The Zone in my hometown of Manning. A whopping 78 pints of blood was collected at the drive thanks to the generosity of the abundance of blood donors. The numbers accurately reflected what a tight-knit community this truly is. When called to save lives and help others, people turn out in high numbers. I couldn't have been happier, and neither could have the Red Cross! That was the most successful the Manning drive had ever been, and I was so honored to have been able to add my own touch, bring in donors, and be a part of such a successful event. When all was said and done, between my two blood drives in Hartsville and Manning, I was able to help the American Red Cross contribute and astounding 96 pints of blood to the blood deficit. The feeling of being a blood donor is rewarding in itself, but the feeling of being a successful blood drive coordinator is even sweeter. I would like to extend my thanks to all the donors who came to save lives. This wouldn't have been possible without you all!

One of the best things about being a local queen within the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization is having the opportunity to share the mission of the Miss America Organization and all of our experiences throughout the year of our reign with others! I had one of those chances this week! I was honored to be invited to be the guest speaker at the Virginia's Pride Garden Club Annual Luncheon by the club's president, my Aunt Kathy Cramer. Not only did I speak about the foundation of the Miss America and South Carolina Organizations and all the wonderful things they do for driven young women like myself, I also spoke about my work with CMN and the recent blood drives with the Red Cross! Being able to tell of the awesome things that can happen with a little dedication, determination, and making a difference is what this is all about for me. If I can convince one person to impact a young child's life through work with CMN or get in the blood donation chair to save lives, then I feel as if I have done my job. I have found throughout my year thus far that sharing personal experiences can have the most positive results when speaking with others. My mission as Miss Greater Hartsville and, hopefully, as the next Miss South Carolina, is to inspire others to do something extraordinary with their lives, no matter how simple that something may be.

It doesn't end here! With Miss South Carolina looming not so far off in the distance, I am determined to work and make a difference until the last minute! For those of you who will be in the Hartsville area tomorrow (June 14th), I will be at Sonic in Hartsville during the afternoon collecting donations for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals with my Princess, Rebecca! I hope you all can stop by and see how easy it is to make a difference in a child's life with one donation, no matter how large or small! 


If you've ever wondered why I believe I should be the next Miss South Carolina, look no further! View my video that was filmed during March Forum Weekend to find out!

Now you have the opportunity to help me! Introducing the 2012 Miss South Carolina People's Choice Awards! With a $1 vote, you could help secure me a spot in the Top 16 and enable me to compete on the final night of competition so I could work further towards my dream of being of the next Miss South Carolina! Visit https://fourpointsmagazine.com/miss-south-carolina-peoples-choice-awards to cast your vote today! Thank you in advance for your support!

A Summertime of Blood Drives, Tan Lines, and Pageant Prepping!

It has been quite some time since I last posted so naturally a lot has happened! I ended my first year of college more satisfied than I could have ever thought possible with all goals met. I've spent more time back and forth between my hometown of Manning and Hartsville. I have been prepping more than ever for the upcoming Miss South Carolina competition, which will be here in less than 2 months. I have completed all of the required paperwork and I suppose now you can consider me to be an "official" contestant with my life signed away to the Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization. Okay, so maybe I didn't literally sign my life away, but after the 30+ pages of contracts it sure did seem like it! I have found, though, in the past month that even though it is a whole lot of work doing this job, it is a whole lot of fun that is paying off each and every day.

The end of my freshman year of college was definitely bittersweet. I had one of the most memorable years of my life living in Columbia in A529 in the Honors Dorm on the corner of Main and Blossom. New lifelong friendships were established, a new way of life was established as an adult away from the comforts of home, and an abundance of new material was learned under the care of my wonderful professors. I was definitely blessed this year. There were no major meltdowns, no significant disasters, and tons of good times. I will not soon forget the memories I made this past year. It was a difficult move emptying out my dorm room of all my belongings and packing them up to come home. I can genuinely say that all of us that lived on my hall truly became a family. We came together to laugh, to eat, to whine, and to complain. It was sad knowing that our family would be spilt apart by housing arrangements next year. It definitely won't be the same, but I have faith that we will all stay in touch. I'll be living on 5A again next year, with friends from this year and new freshmen. Another extension to my family tree will be made and I couldn't be more excited! The prospect of new adventures and more discoveries is thrilling for me, so naturally next year is sure to be a blast with more Gamecock football games, late night study sessions, and too may trips to get ice cream. 

I had to jump the hurdle of moving out of college in order to face the exciting events that this summer holds! I achieved all my goals for my freshman year, and I fully intend to do the same thing in July as I work to become the next Miss South Carolina! Like most of us, I grew up watching the Miss America pageant, with the dream of one day walking across the Miss South Carolina stage to get to my ultimate goal of the national stage. This is my opportunity. This is my chance. This is my time to live out my dream. Each day is a day closer to competition week, and each day I become more and more excited! Preparations for that week are in full swing! Whether I'm packing the roads to get my wardrobe straight, be coached, or promoting my platform of blood donation, things are getting done and moving me towards July! I feel like I'm a tornado sometimes, propelling full steam ahead, never stopping to catch my breath. At home, we have the "behind the scenes" preparations that are must-do's and trying to keep a personal life as well is challenging! I wouldn't trade a minute of it, though. I love this hectic, crazy, Miss South Carolina lifestyle! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm so blessed to be experiencing it!

I have been to many events the past few weeks. It all started with the Miss South Carolina Golf Classic benefitting the Miss South Carolina Scholarship and BI-LO Charities! It was the perfect weather for a day on the golf course and overall it was a successful venture! I had such a good time not only bonding with my fellow queens, but also getting to know the golfers as they came around the greens where we were stationed! Then we had the Taste of Hartsville the first week of May. I was one stuffed girl leaving that appearance! The food was delectable and the people were welcoming, as usual! It never fails that every time I go to Hartsville, I learn something new! This time, I learned that the people of Hartsville sure can cook and that the people in the community come together in fellowship with each other to celebrate and enjoy the tastes and treats others can offer! I passed out over 500 people's choice tokens that night, one to each person who came through the gate. It was an amazing turnout for a great event! The next week, I took part in the Bojangles 500 Race Weekend events in Florence and Darlington! Now that was an adventure! I grew up with a great grandaddy who was a tremendous race fan, and a father who used to travel to cheer on the legendary Cale Yarborough. Me, though, I had never considered myself to be a race fan. I did have my favorite, Kasey Kahne, but honestly, anyone should have known that. (Have you seen those piercingly beautiful baby blue eyes...?) Race weekend all started with festivities on Thursday night beginning at the Civic Center and ending up in Darlington Square with the car haulers parade. Walking between the huge haulers while signing autographs, meeting race fans, and experiencing the electric atmosphere was definitely something to be remembered. Then, on Saturday, I spent part of the day at the racetrack selling lapel pins to benefit the NASCAR foundation and McLeod's Children's Hospital. That was the most rewarding day for me all weekend. Anytime you can raise money for such wonderful charities while still having a blast with your fellow queens is a win-win situation in my opinion! It most definitely enjoyed my first race experience, even without attending the actual race!

Even with everything else that is going on, I'm thrilled about hosting my two blood drives in support of my platform, "Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save a Life." Tomorrow (May 19th) is the big day in Hartsville! I will be hosting my drive from 10 AM until 3 PM at the First Presbyterian Church! I would be overjoyed to exceed our set goal of 28 pints, but I can't do that without your willingness and participation! Then on June 5th, I will be extending my platform involvement into my hometown of Manning at the drive taking place at the Cypress Center from 12 PM until 6 PM! I'm hosting that drive in collaboration with The Zone, so we have set a goal of around 60 pints! I hope to see you at one of these drives! Come be a real life super hero and give the gift of life through blood donation!!

Time Well Spent!

Yet another week and weekend have come and gone by in a flash! This past weekend was my last time collecting donations at BI-LO in Hartsville for the BI-LO Charities! This weekend there was definitely memorable! Not only did I get to spend it Madi, my beautiful sister queen and our princesses, but we were again very successful in collecting donations! We laughed the entire time we were at the table and had a blast interacting with the customers. In addition to all those things, I've come to realize that you never know who you may meet or how they will impact your life. The more time I spent at that store, the more I came to learn that the opportunities to make an impact and move forward are right in front of us, and it's up to us to take the reins and see where they lead. No matter how much my legs hurt from standing or how many times I was so tired that I could barely keep my eyes open, my weekends at BI-LO were definitely times well spent! I've had the chance to give others the opportunity to make a difference in peoples' lives through generous donations. I've also had the opportunity to make worthwhile connections with people I have come in contact with, and I am taking full advantage of both!


All our hard work as far as collecting donations with be recognized this week as the Miss South Carolina family travels to Cheraw for the Miss South Carolina BI-LO Golf Classic! I can't wait to spend the day in the sun with some amazing girls working the tournament and catch a few golf swings here and there! I'm sure it will be a day worth remembering, just like my weekends in Hartsville.

Whirlwind Weeks...Time is Continuing to Fly By!

I think it is safe to say that the closer you get to the end of the school year at any given educational institution, it seems as if the days get shorter and the list of assignments and tests gets longer. This is true for me, I know. With finals right around the corner and my Freshman year of college swiftly coming to a close, I find myself even busier than I ever imagined... and I wouldn't have it any other way.


I enjoy every minute of my hectic lifestyle! Whether I'm running between the School of Music practice rooms to Biology lectures, or hopping in my car after my last class on Friday's to travel to Hartsville, I find that I love what I do. These past two weekends, I have spent time in Hartsville. As I previously mentioned, I'm visiting BI-LO this month to collect donations for the BI-LO Charities and Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization. This past weekend, I was volunteering with my Miss South Carolina Princess and sister, Rebecca, as well as one of my sister queens, Miss Hartsville Teen, Sarah Beth Kreidler. Together, we raised over $250 in donations! It is a heartwarming feeling to know that there are people who are willing to donate and give to such wonderful organizations. Interacting with the customers as they came in was fun, too! I especially love meeting the young kids. Seeing the light in their eyes and how excited they get makes it all worthwhile. In those moments, we are being role models to them, and having the opportunity to make a positive impact on a young person's life is why I love doing this. It's sharing the message to dream big and simply talking to these children is the most rewarding for me as a local queen.

Amidst the visits the BI-LO, I have also been honored to spend a while with the people of Hartsville. The highlight of one of my visits was actually a conversation I had with a local woman. I was making my way to The Midnight Rooster, which is one of my favorite stops, for a Cafe Americano with a hint of mocha and I came across this lady sitting at the table outside of the eclectic cafe. She spotted my crown and asked me who I was. I sat down with her and we chatted about my journey as Miss Greater Hartsville and she told me some stories of her own. That conversation, even though it was only a brief 15 minute interval of time in my day, was special. I felt at home and I was overwhelmed with friendship and support as I sat there talking to her. We shared laughs and great times, and it was a wonderful experience. It proved to me that we come across opportunities each day, whether we are wearing sparkle hats or not, to just talk to our neighbors. You never know what you  might learn or have the opportunity to share with someone. Along with that brief encounter, I also had the chance to attend the Byerly Park Beach Music Festival with the Miss Hartsville Family! We had an absolute blast! Between dancing to the music on the dance floor in front of the stage to walking around signing autographs and taking pictures, it's safe to say we all enjoyed ourselves! I loved interacting with everyone and seeing how receptive they were to what we had to say. We laughed, we danced, and we loved the festival!

In other exciting news, during my trips to Hartsville, I have been working on finalizing the plans for my upcoming Blood Drive through the American Red Cross! The drive I am hosting in Hartsville will be held on May 19th from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church! I cannot express how excited I am about this event! This is the first Blood Drive I have ever hosted and I feel sure that we will exceed our donation goal! You can make an appointment to donate today! If you would like to do so or if you have any questions about the donation process, feel free to contact me at blankl@email.sc.edu! I check my messages regularly. You can even make a blood donation appointment online! Visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code "HartsvillePres" when prompted. I hope to see all of you there! 


Also, as an aside for all who live in my hometown of Manning, I am co-hosting a Blood Drive at the Cypress Center on June 5th! More details will follow closer to the event.


These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, but time will continue to fly by from here! Each day is a day closer to the Miss South Carolina Pageant. That means each passing day, I'm closer to my goal of hopefully becoming your next Miss South Carolina through dedication, determination, and making a difference!

American Red Cross Month- March 31st

This is it! We are now in the last few hours of 2012's National American Red Cross Month! Just because this month of intense Red Cross promotion ends tonight doesn't mean that us striving to make a difference does! Every month, every day, every hour we have the opportunity to be a hero. Whether you donate at a blood drive or at a fixed donation center, there are always venues for you to donate and make a difference.


I want to end this month on the same note I started with: the most effective statistic that I believe is out there about blood donation because it is truly an eye opener. Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States is in need of a blood donation. As we move through our day, 2 seconds is an unrecognizable amount of time. Despite that fact, 2 seconds of time is very precious to someone who is in need of a blood transfusion to save their life. The amazing thing is that we have the chance to be those lifesavers through our blood donations to the American Red Cross. There is nothing better than that!


I hope you all have found this month's information informative and you now know more about blood donation through the American Red Cross. One of my main goals during my reign is to be a positive advocate for this life-saving organization, and encourage each and every one of you to make a difference through this simple process. Remember, just because this month is over doesn't mean your opportunity to volunteer your time as a blood donor is. It is my wish that you go forth with a committed heart to fully embrace your chance to be a hero through involvement with the American Red Cross.


BE A HERO: DONATE BLOOD, SAVE A LIFE. 

American Red Cross Month- March 30th

It has been such an exciting day! After 3 weeks in the big city of Columbia, I finally got to ride the back roads and come back to the small towns of Hartsville and Manning! Let me tell you, I do love the city, but I will always be a small town girl at heart! I had the ability to visit some of the businesses in Hartsville, spend time with some of the citizens, and make a much needed iced coffee stop at The Midnight Rooster! The remainder of my afternoon was then spent with the wonderful Miss Wade Hampton-Taylors, Alyssa Cumbee, collecting donations for BI-LO Charities! Having fun and making a difference, despite sore feet and legs! It was well worth it.

While in Hartsville, I also stopped by the First Presbyterian Church, which is the venue for my blood drive on May 19th! The plans are set and the preparations have been made! I'm very excited about being able to host this event and I hope that you all find it in your hearts to donate blood! More details will be provided closer to the event. I will also be putting posters up around Hartsville with the information. Be on the lookout for those!


Through the generous blood donations of people just like yourself, the American Red Cross is able to provide blood to over 3,000 hospitals nationwide! That's a lot of lives saved! However, they wouldn't be able to provide for the blood transfusions that take place at all those hospitals if it wasn't for generous donors. The more, the better!


TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF NATIONAL AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH! With that said, don't let your last opportunity to make a difference during the month of March pass you by! Here are tomorrow's blood drives around the state of South Carolina:*
ATP Gunshop and Range- Summerville
Columbia and Florence Fixed Donation Centers
*Dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website.

American Red Cross Month- March 29th

I know that since advocating blood donation through the American Red Cross is my platform, it seems like I'm always pushing for you to donate! This month I've been especially persistent, I know. I'm sure there comes a point when you all are thinking, "Well is she ever going to stop?" To put is simply, absolutely not! Even after March is over, I will still insist that you donate just as much as I do now. Why, you ask? The blood bank isn't going to magically restore itself. The need for blood transfusions isn't going to disappear. There will ALWAYS be a need for blood. That is why I will continue to be pushy and persistent.


Even though I'm encouraging each and every one of you to donate, there is an interesting statistic I came across that I wanted to share with you. It's striking, but less than a mere 38% of the population are actually eligible to give blood. So that means 62% of the population can't donate, even if they want to. Now this could be for a number of reasons. Before you make it to the donor's chair, you take part in a survey asking an assortment of questions and a certain answer to one of those questions could rule you out. Your iron level, blood pressure, and other vitals are checked before you donate so any one of those things could prevent you from giving. Other abnormalities in the blood and infections could also keep you out of the donor's chair. Now you may be thinking, "Well how do I know if I can donate or not?" The answer to that is if you aren't sure, just try! You'll never know if you don't simply try. Even if you are told you are ineligible, in my eyes you are still just as much of a hero for attempting to donate. Doing your part and making the effort is just as appreciated, I can guarantee it. 


Here are tomorrow's (March 30th) blood drives in South Carolina:*
Chapin High School- Chapin
Chesterfield General Hospital- Cheraw
*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross Website


Just a quick note! TOMORROW, I will be at the Hartsville BI-LO from 3 PM until 7 PM collecting donations for a local charity! Stop by after work to pick up a few groceries and come see me to donate and make a difference! I hope to see you there!

American Red Cross Month- March 28th

The end of National American Red Cross Month is rapidly approaching. Have you donated blood yet? If not, there are still a few more days left for you to do so and make an impact before this month is over! We've said before that only 3 in every 100 people donate blood. If you don't donate, then why not? People have various reasons, but there are 2 that are very common according to the American Red Cross. The first common answer that people give to the question, "Why don't you donate blood?" is "Never thought about it." We all have a lot on our plates and each day brings something different, but despite all of that, we should think about donating blood! One of the many reasons that I chose this platform is because I don't think there is enough emphasis placed on blood donation. Very rarely do you hear anyone speak of it unless there is a blood drive coming up in your area or something such as that. Through the Miss South Carolina Organization and while serving as Miss Greater Hartsville, I feel like I have been given a megaphone to spread knowledge about blood donation so that despite the lack of publicity that it normally gets, I can be a positive advocate for the American Red Cross and influence people to THINK about donating blood. The other common reason people give is one that I hear extremely often, "I don't like needles." This is the normal reaction I get when I approach someone about donating blood. I'm here to tell you that I was once afraid of them, too! Getting shots was one of my worst fears, but just between you and me, the needle is nothing to be afraid of! I've given blood multiple times, and it's never been more than a stick and a sting! Despite the common misconception, it doesn't even hurt when you are pumping your pint. You can barely tell it's there! So if this is your reason for not wanting to give blood, I want you to remember this next time before you answer: think of the power in that needle. With one simple stick and sting, you are being a HERO. You are saving a life so that the person who receives the transfusion can live to see another day. That alone should be comforting enough.

The beauty of the Miss America and Miss South Carolina Organizations is that they provide young women like me with the perfect venue to be advocates for organizations and platforms that may not get that much attention on a regular basis. It's an honor for me to be able to share this kind of information with you all, extinguishing the misconceptions and comforting you so that you, too, may feel motivated to do something extraordinary. Now, I hope you can say that you will THINK about giving blood and know that there is the power to be a HERO in that needle! 

Here are tomorrow's (March 29th) blood drives in South Carolina:*

USC School of Law- Columbia

Green Sea Floyd's Elementary School- Green Sea

Sumter High School- Sumter

Fairfield Central High School- Winnsboro

Charleston Southern University- Charleston

*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross Website.

American Red Cross Month- March 27th

Yesterday, I mentioned that as National Red Cross Month is coming to an end, I want to make sure that you all are aware of your options as far as blood donations are concerned. Whole blood donation may not be for everyone, but there are other transfusable products that you can donate and still save lives! I've already enlightened you about platelet donation, so aside from that and red blood cells, there are 2 more transfusable products that both come from the same source in the blood!


Before sitting in the donor's chair, you have to decide what you would like to donate. One thing that you can decide to donate on it's own is plasma! Plasma in your blood contains an abundance of proteins and it is used for therapeutic purposes. But did you know that there is yet another product that can be derived from the plasma itself? That product is called cryoprecipitate. This product is prepared directly from the donated plasma and it contains fibronectin and fibrinogens, which are blood clotting factors. Why exactly are those things needed? Cryoprecipitate is used to control bleeding or is transfused prior to an invasive procedure to patients with hypofibrinogenemia, or a deficiency of fibrinogen in the blood. In other words, it's used to help the blood clot so patients do not bleed excessively. Personally, I think that is pretty awesome! To be able to donate any component of blood is an amazing thing, but to be able to donate one that has such a specific purpose is even neater! Just as an aside, both plasma and cryoprecipitate don't have as short of shelf-lives before they expire. These blood components are frozen after collection and can be used up to a year after they are donated.


Who knew that there were so many options for donors?! To be able to pick and choose how to be a hero and yet still save lives is the beauty of the American Red Cross. We all have our preferences, and when we each act on them, we are helping others in our own ways. As always, there are blood drives going on tomorrow! Here are March 28th's blood drives in South Carolina:*
Agape Hospice- Camden
Ashley Ridge High School- Summerville
McBee High School- McBee
Aiken Mall- Aiken
*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross Website.

American Red Cross Month- March 26th

With only a few short days left in National American Red Cross Month, it is important for me to provide you with options and for you to fully understand them. I am well aware that whole blood donation may not be for everyone, but through modern advancements and technology, the Red Cross has made other donation possibilities open to you!


In a previous post, I mentioned the process of apheresis and how it works. Just to reiterate, this process separates and collects only one particular component of the blood. One of those components could be platelets. There is a HUGE need for platelet donations. After collection from the donor, platelets must be used within 5 days of donation. Because of the rapid expiration rate and lack of stock, continually having platelet donations is vital. While 1 pint of blood is collected during a whole blood donation, only about 1/4 of a pint is collected and separated out into the various blood components during a platelet donation. Once the blood goes through the cell separating machine and the platelets have been collected, the remaining components of the 1/4  pint of blood are put back into the body. It's that simple! You aren't losing as much blood as you would be if you were doing a whole blood donation, yet you are still saving lives! In fact, just one platelet donation can provide a full therapeutic dose for a patient, or it can even provide for 2 or 3 doses depending on the number of platelets collected! So, if the traditional, whole blood donation isn't for you, you still have a venue through which to save lives! Donate platelets, save a life!


For those of you who may want to be a hero tomorrow, here are March 26th's blood drives across the state of South Carolina:*
Summerville High School- Summerville
SC Department of Education- Columbia
City of Myrtle Beach- Myrtle Beach
*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross Website.

American Red Cross Month- March 25th and a Whirlwind Weekend!

What a weekend! For those of you who may not know this, the Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen Class of 2012 just spent the past few days together at this year's Workshop Weekend! To give you a brief summary, Workshop Weekend is...well...a whirlwind of information, excitement, friendship, laughter, note-taking, learning, preparation, and many other forms of fast paced fun! I had a blast and it certainly won't be a weekend I will soon forget! There was something about being in a room with so many beautiful, talented, intelligent young women all at one time that made me feel even more blessed in regards to this position I hold and who I get to share in this experience with. From what I can tell, the next 3 or so months prior to competition aren't going to slow down. Preparations are in full swing for Miss South Carolina 2012 and boy am I thrilled!

Officially, there are 102 contestants total for the titles of Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen 2012. That means there are only 102 contenders for the titles for the next year, until the Class of 2013 is introduced. Also officially, there are over 30 million blood transfusions that take place each year. That means that for the next year, over 30 million pints of blood will be used to save lives. Sitting in the ballroom at Workshop Weekend, I thought that 102 was a large number. Then, I took a step back and thought about the Red Cross and the work that they do throughout the year and I realized that 102 doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the number of lives they save and blood transfusions that are provided. While we are all caught up in the numbers that surround us, I encourage you to take a step back and think outside of our area of the country and consider the number of miracles that take place each year around America as a whole.


If you feel the urge to provide for the 30 million pints of blood that are transfused each year, take the time out of your day to donate! I cannot stress enough that there is no better time than the present! Here are tomorrow's (March 26th) blood drives across the state of South Carolina:*
St. James Lutheran Church- Lexington
Fixed Donation Centers- Florence, Sumter, and Columbia
*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website.

American Red Cross- March 23rd

What an exciting day! Today kicked off the Miss South Carolina Class of 2012's Workshop Weekend! There is only more excitement to come! This will definitely be a weekend of friendship, a weekend of learning, and a weekend to remember forever! Stay tuned for details!


I still wanted to provide you all with a fact about blood donation, despite the craziness that is ensuing this weekend! If you are Type O blood, have you ever gotten a phone call about donating blood? If you have, it's not surprising! Type O is the most requested blood type! As we discovered the other day, Type O is the universal donor, so that would explain why so much of it is needed! So, if you are Type O blood, you have yet another reason to get out there, donate blood, and save a life!


Tomorrow, there aren't any blood drives in South Carolina, BUT don't forget about your fixed donation centers! Visit the official Red Cross Website for locations and hours!

American Red Cross Month- March 22nd

Throughout this month, we have discovered many different interesting aspects of blood donation through the American Red Cross. From how a blood donation is carried out to how many blood drives are held during the year, there truly are a lot of fascinating facts in regards to Red Cross blood donation! It's thrilling to think that through this month, we have all learned something new about this, and now, I hope that we all have the knowledge to go forward with committed hearts to make an impact in our own way!

Yesterday, we discovered that there are over 200,000 blood drives that take place annually in the United States. If you were like me after you heard that, you probably wondered how many pints are collected if that many blood drives are held. Well, the average number of blood donations collected through the Red Cross each year is around 16 million. Yes, 16 million pints of blood are collected each year!! Can you believe it?! That is such a large number that I can't even to begin to fathom it. Each one of those people is a hero in their own right. Are you one of the 16 million? If not, will you be?

Be a part of the large portion of our population who have already decided to make an impact in their own way! The process is simple and rewarding. Choose to be a hero! Here are tomorrow's (March 23rd) blood drives in South Carolina:*

Wal-Mart- Lexington

Dorchester County Career and Technical Center- Dorchester

Society Hill Town Hall- Society Hill

*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website.

American Red Cross Month- March 21st

As the month of March keeps dwindling down, I can't help but think ahead! Even though after the 31st National American Red Cross Month will be over, that doesn't mean that the advocation for and support of this wonderful organization has to be over, too! In fact, it means just the opposite! As March comes to a close, another month opens its doors. No, it may not be a month that is dedicated solely to promotion for the Red Cross, but it is a month when more blood drives will be held, more people will need blood transfusions, and more everyday Americans will become heros by giving the gift of life through blood donation.

I think that sometimes we get so caught up in our own lives that we don't take the time to properly identify with what is going on around us. There are blood drives going on everyday, but in the confusion of our own hectic schedules, rarely do we realize that they are taking place! Today, I wanted to share a quick statistic so that you could get an idea of how many blood drives actually happen each year. While we are going about running errands, working, attending classes, and doing whatever else our year encompasses, the American Red Cross is partnering with over 50,000 people who are volunteering their time to be blood drive sponsors each year! Together, the sponsors and Red Cross Representatives coordinate an astounding 200,000 blood drives in America every year! Thanks to their teamwork, countless blood donations are collected and many lives are saved!

When I first discovered this statistic, it was particularly heartwarming for me because this year, I am one of those 50,000 people. With 2 blood drives coming up, I'm beginning to become more and more excited with each passing day. I know the gratification that comes just from being a donor, so I can only imagine what it will be like being both that and a blood drive coordinator! My blood drives aren't until May and June, but as always, there are some taking place tomorrow! Here are March 22nd's blood drives in South Carolina:*

Spartanburg Community College- Gaffney

Lexington Medical Center- West Columbia

USC School of Business- Columbia (on campus, Darla Moore School of Business)

East Shore Athletic Club- Goose Creek

*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website.

Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save a Life

American Red Cross- March 20th

Spring has officially sprung! Was I the only one who Winter passed by without stopping? This year is already getting hot, hot, hot, in true South Carolina fashion, of course! Don't get me wrong, I love longer days and warmer weather, but it all seems like it has come too quickly. This is just another testament as to how fast time passes us by. If we don't embrace the present and live for the moment, we could blink and in an instant, everything could have blown right past us. That's why I think it is important for us to fully embrace the American Red Cross in the present! March will be over before we know it, meaning it will be a whole year before National American Red Cross Month is among us again. Don't let the opportunities in the present to make a difference and give the gift of life pass you by!


Being a very science oriented person, I find today's fact interesting. Do you know how many pints of blood the average adult has in his or her body? Well, in case you were wondering, the answer is 10 pints. So, how much of your body's blood supply is taken for 1 whole blood donation? That answer, too, is simple. Only 1 pint of the average 10 pints is taken during a donation. That's it! Only 10% of your blood supply is collected in order to save a life! As was stated in a previous post, your body does naturally replenish itself of the blood supply over time. What more could you ask for? The human body is an amazing thing, so amazing, in fact, that you can save a life and keep yours, all at the same time! It's like having your cake and eating it, too! So, there should be no reason to be reluctant to have a seat in the donation chair. Be a hero, donate blood, and save a life!


Just in case you feel the urge to spring into action tomorrow and donate blood, here are March 21st's blood drives in South Carolina:*
C.A. Johnson High School- Columbia
Scott's Branch High School- Summerton
Crestwood High School- Sumter
Trident Tech, Berkeley Campus- Moncks Corner
College of Charleston- Charleston
WMBF News- Myrtle Beach
*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website. 


Don't forget to embrace the present.

American Red Cross Month- March 19th

This week is going to be an exciting one for all involved with the Miss South Carolina Organization! Beginning this Friday, the Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Teen Class of 2012 will be all together for the first time for Workshop Weekend! I can't wait to meet all of the wonderful women who are competing for the titles this year and spend time getting to know each other. This is what this organization is all about! Making new friends, branching out, and sharing our stories is something I am looking forward to. Not only that, but we will learn of the logistics for the pageant this summer as well as many more exciting things! Needless to say, I can't wait for this weekend to roll around, but before all of that, we can't forget that it is still National American Red Cross Month and continue with our tradition of fun facts and blood drive announcements!


Yesterday's fact was in regards to the blood type that was the universal donor. Now, I wanted to share something else with you in regards to that same type of issue that I found interesting. Even though O Negative is the universal blood donor, blood type AB Positive and AB Negative are the universal plasma donors. Why do you ask? Well, it has to do with the antibodies in the plasma. Type AB blood has neither the A nor B antibodies in the plasma, so it can be transfused to someone with any blood type. Another interesting fact about type AB blood is that those that have that type are universal recipients. They can receive any type of blood as a blood transfusion. Just like the universal blood donor, the universal plasma donor is also used for patients in need of massive transfusions or newborn babies with their blood types not yet identified.


Just as a reminder, you have other options than just a whole blood donation! You can donate just different blood components, such as plasma, through the type of donation called apheresis. Most fixed donation centers offer that type of blood donation each day in addition to the whole blood donation option, as well as some mobile blood drives. Whether or not a blood drive or center you are interested in does can be determined using the official American Red Cross Website (the link is provided on the side of this page). With that said, here are tomorrow's (March 20th) blood drives in South Carolina:*
Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church- West Columbia
Johnsonville High School- Johnsonville
*All dates and locations were obtained via the official Red Cross website.

American Red Cross Month- March 18th

I don't know about you, but to me, March sure is flying by! That means your time to make a difference this year during National American Red Cross Month is running out! Have you done your part yet?

Do you know your blood type? Well, if you don't, I mentioned in a previous post that if you donated blood, the Red Cross would test it to determine your type and you would be sent a donor card in the mail that tells you which blood type you are! I'm A Positive, but did you know that the universal blood donor is type O Negative blood? Since it is the universal donor, it is the blood type in the highest demand. O Negative blood is used in emergency situations before the patient's own blood type is known and it is used if a newborn baby is in need of a blood transfusion. I'm sure now you can see why there is such a great need for it. Anyone can use it! 

Regardless of whether your blood type is O Negative or not, you should still make a blood donation. Everyone who donates is a hero despite what their type may be! Here are tomorrow's (March 19th) blood drives in South Carolina:*

USC College of Engineering- Columbia (USC Campus, Swearingen Building)

Chester Community YMCA- Chester

*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross Website.

American Red Cross Month- March 17th

First off, Happy St. Patrick's Day! I don't know about you, but I was seeing green everywhere I went! Your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is like a person in need of a blood transfusion's pint of blood. Except, those in need of a transfusion can't depend on luck to bring them their blood! It's up to us, as generous donors, to bring their own bit of gold into their lives!

This week, I placed emphasis on the fact that you can donate blood both at blood drives and fixed donation centers. I'm a number person, so I wanted to provide you with some statistics in regards to the two places where you can donate! About 80% of blood donations come from blood drives set up by different organizations throughout the year and the remaining 20% are donations that take place at the fixed donation centers. This could be because blood drives tend to be promoted more often and effectively or people may not know about the fixed donation centers. Regardless of what the reason is, I feel as if it is my job to promote both! A blood donation is a blood donation, no matter where it takes place! The same protocol is followed and you are still giving the gift of life! 

Tomorrow is Sunday, but there is still a blood drive! Here is March 18th's blood drive in South Carolina:*

St. Stephen's Lutheran Church- Lexington

*Drive date and location was obtained via the official American Red Cross website.

American Red Cross Month- March 16th

Today has been an exciting day for me! I donated blood for the first time since being crowned Miss Greater Hartsville! Now you may think to yourself what makes that so different from every other time? Well, this was the first donation since I declared "Be a Hero: Donate Blood, Save a Life" as my platform, and now that I'm directly connected to the Red Cross as both a donor and public figure, it is even more fulfilling for me. After any blood donation, the sense of gratification is instant, but it was even more so this time. I'm a firm believer that firsthand experience is the best way to learn, so being able to let people know that I'm a regular donor and putting their minds at ease about the whole process is of significant importance to me. Now I feel complete. I have made my donation during National American Red Cross Month and saved a life. What an irreplaceable feeling! My running total changed to 6 pints of blood that I have donated since I first began. There is nothing like being a hero!

The blood drive I attended was held on USC's campus. Here, I was getting prepped and ready to donate!

 A stick and sting! That's it! 

 Pumping my pint! It takes no time at all!

There's my donation! Have you made yours?

Since I've been through a blood donation today, I thought I would give you all a brief overview about the normal donation process for today's Red Cross Month fact! When you first arrive, you read materials outlining the requirements to donate blood. After that, you go into a cubicle with a nurse and he or she takes your vitals and you answer a short questionnaire. Once all that is finished, you're ready to donate! You're taken over to a donation chair where you have a stick and a sting, then you pump your pint! That's it! Simple, easy, and not time consuming! I know you all can do it!

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day, but people who need blood transfusions can't count on luck! They are depending on your donations! Here is a blood drive being held March 17th:

Boiling Springs United Methodist Church- Lexington

Don't forget on your fixed Blood Donation Centers located around the state. Refer to yesterday's blog post or the official Red Cross website for more information about them!

American Red Cross Month- March 15th

We're now halfway through March, which means we only have half of National American Red Cross Month left to go! Since we're at the halfway mark, I wanted to point out something that all of you may not know. Each day this month, I'm posting blood drives that are happening around the state the next day so that hopefully, you will find the time, ability, and willingness to donate blood yourself! It doesn't have to end there, though, after this month is said and done! The fact is, you don't have to wait on a blood drive to come to you! Did you know that there are fixed Red Cross Blood Donation Centers in our state? South Carolina is actually home to 7 fixed blood donation centers! Those centers are located in:

Columbia

Charleston (2 Locations: MUSC and West Ashley)

Florence

Myrtle Beach

Mt. Pleasant

Sumter

Each blood donation center is open at least 4 days a week and their hours of operation vary during the week so that you can donate when it best fits your schedule! How cool is that?! I have all the information regarding days and hours of operation should you want more information about the fixed blood donation centers or you can visit the official Red Cross website (link provided in the sidebar) for information as well! I just think that having these blood donation centers open and available year round enables us a better opportunity to get out and donate should we not be able to catch a blood drive near us. Wouldn't you agree?! So go to a fixed blood donation center and give the gift of life!

Speaking of donating, there is a blood drive here on USC's campus tomorrow and I'm thrilled to be donating! I've set up my appointment and I can't wait to go! For me, a blood donation is an exciting opportunity! The fulfillment that comes after a blood donation is irreplaceable, for it is a wonderful realization that by taking an hour out of your day, you have given the gift of life so that someone else may live to see more hours of their life. It's such an amazing thing!

I hope you have the opportunity to experience that sense of fulfillment that comes from a blood donation! Here are tomorrow's (March 16th) blood drives across the state of South Carolina:*

USC HOSA- Columbia (USC Campus, Russell House)

Fort Mill High School- Fort Mill

Goose Creek High School- Goose Creek

AND don't forget about your fixed Red Cross Blood Donation Centers! They will be open as well!

*All dates and locations were obtained via the official American Red Cross website.

ALSO, just a little tidbit of information I haven't share previously: if you ever see a blood drive that I list and you are interested in donating there, visit the Red Cross website (the link is provided in the sidebar of this page) and follow the directions to make a donation appointment! Walk-ins are accepted, but if you have an appointment, you have a better chance of getting through the process quicker than those who don't.

Happy Donating!