Arkansas Tech University faculty member Dr. Theresa Cullen knows the importance of blood donation.
It saved her life.
Now, Cullen is paying forward that gift by hosting an on-campus Our Blood Institute blood drive at ATU’s Baswell Techionery on Monday, Oct. 14. It will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Baz-Tech rooms 202 and 203.
She has entitled it the “It’s Great to Be Alive” blood drive. The event coincides with Cullen’s 50th birthday, and she wants to celebrate that milestone by giving back to the communities that saved her life when she and her dog were hit by a car on April 30, 2021.
The collision resulted in a hemothorax, a broken back, broken ribs and extensive injuries to her legs.
“When I arrived at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center emergency room, I was told that I had already lost four pints of blood,” said Cullen. “I was put on the survivor flight with five pints of blood. I received more blood at UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences). The Arkansans who had donated blood literally saved my life. Since I am celebrating a milestone birthday that I almost did not have, I would love to provide the same opportunity to others. I will never be able to donate that much myself, so I am calling on my community to help me reach this goal.”
Individuals who are willing and able to contribute to the blood drive can register at http://bit.ly/great2balive.
“The local blood drive will be a little different in that I will be serving cupcakes for my birthday,” said Cullen. “For every five people who attempt to donate (show up for an appointment and go through screening that day), I will draw for another $50 prize. My ultimate goal is to have 50 attempts to give blood…one pint for every year I have been alive.”
In addition, participants will receive the Halloween themed t-shirt from Our Blood Institute and any other incentives being offered at the time.
There is an additional option for individuals who wish to contribute to the drive, but cannot be in Russellville on Oct. 14. They may donate blood or platelets at a time and location convenient for them and participate remotely by e-mailing the date and location of their donation to imaliveblooddrive@gmail.com.
“If you include your address, we will send you thanks for participating,” said Cullen.
A member of the ATU faculty since 2020, Cullen is director of the ATU Center for Faculty LIFE (Learning, Innovation, Faculty and Engagement) and professor of curriculum and instruction.
“This is a great opportunity for me and my husband to give thanks to all of those that saved my life, including Russellville Fire and Rescue, St. Mary’s ER, Survivor Flight, UAMS, Baptist Rehab, Baptist Little Rock and North Little Rock, Arkansas Lymphedema of North Little Rock and Conway, Dr. Morris (now at Chi St. Vincent Hot Springs), Dr. Moore (Bowen Hefley), Breckenn Findley (Conway Regional Russellville) and all of their teams that contributed to me being able to celebrate this birthday,” said Cullen. “Also, I want to thank Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, which provided amazing veterinary care to my dog, Roulette, so she is here to celebrate with me and Creature Comforts, which always took her in when I had an emergency procedure.”
