For Immediate Release 

Article By: PLL Editor Brother Darnell Dennis

January 30, 2023

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Pi Lambda Lambda’s _Health Initiatives – National Blood Drive Efforts Start at Home

Pi Lambda Lambda (PLL) chapter | Third District | Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. | Prince William County, Virginia – On January 30, 2023 – the last day of National Blood Donor Month – Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter re-launched its support for local blood donations drive by sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive through its mentoring program and in partnership with a local middle school.  The PLL Health Initiatives Committee (HIC) and “Omega U – Potomac Middle School” Blood Drive was the Chapter’s first full in-person blood drive in several years, and its first since re-emerging from the constraints of COVID-19. Brother Johnathan Thomas, PLL HIC Chair, coordinated the flow with several Omega U mentees supporting the drive by directing donors to the donation station and by providing drinks and snacks to the donors, while nearly 20 Brothers from the Chapter supported and participated in the drive by setting up, running donor registration and check-in, and tearing down once the drive was complete.


With January’s totals, forty-one registered donors – including nine Brothers – came out to donate blood in person, with 35 donors completing their donation giving the event an 85% successful donation rating. The Health Initiatives Committee also continues to operate its “Dr. Charles R. Drew Virtual Blood Drive” through the Red Cross’s “Sleeves Up” campaign.  Through this branch, the virtual drive received three new donation pledges a few days prior to this event.


The Health Initiatives Committee encourages Brothers not to forget our Fraternity’s rich history in blood donation and blood banking due to the efforts of Dr. Charles R. Drew. Known as the “Father of Blood Banking”, he was enlisted by the Red Cross to start a pilot program that included innovations such as community donation centers in storefronts, factories, and ‘bloodmobiles”.  Dr. Drew was appointed director of the American Red Cross’s first blood bank in 1941, which oversaw blood for use by the U.S. Army and Navy.



For additional information or requests for interviews with the Pi Lambda Lambda Chapter Basileus (President), Brother Charles Hunter, please contact the Chapter Editor, Brother Darnell Dennis, Jr. – 859.519.5296 – editorpllqpp@gmail.com | Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. founded on the campus of Howard University November 17, 1911.