In Jackson, Mississippi, healthcare isn’t always close at hand. Hospitals can be stretched thin, and for many families, chronic conditions like sickle cell, lupus, and diabetes are a familiar part of life. It’s a place where the need for blood is real, but where the American Red Cross hasn’t traditionally collected in high volume. That’s what makes Murrah High School’s recent rise so striking. In a city not typically known for large-scale Red Cross blood drives, this public school has climbed into the top five high school donor sites in the nation.

It’s an accomplishment that speaks to both scale and effort, according to Tamica Smith Jeuitt, Executive Director with the American Red Cross. “Many of these students were first-time blood donors, which is another point to celebrate when you consider fear factors like needles that stop people from donating,” she said. “Jackson Public Schools is sending an inspiring message to young people and the nation.”

For Hart Jefferson, that accomplishment hits close to home. A Murrah graduate and now a Red Cross HBCU Ambassador at Jackson State University, he sees his former school’s success as fuel for the work he’s doing today. 

His introduction to blood donation came during a drive at Murrah when he was in the 11th grade. “I just wanted to participate… it would be something nice to do,” he recalled. But the significance of that moment didn’t fully register until afterward, when he saw the blood pouch and realized what his donation could mean for someone else.

That understanding came with a layer of personal meaning. Jefferson grew up surrounded by examples—his grandfather and mother were regular blood donors. In his community, conditions like sickle cell, lupus, and diabetes were all too familiar. That connection became painfully real when a close friend who has sickle cell was hospitalized during a crisis. “She was in the hospital… and it kind of motivated me to want to do something about it,” he said. What began as a simple gesture quickly turned into a sense of purpose. He began to realize how a single donation could make a significant difference in the broader community.

Today, he brings that same sense of purpose to Jackson State. “If my high school had such high-level participation, imagine what a college could do,” he said. As an HBCU Ambassador, he’s working to build momentum for campus blood drives by teaming up with Registered Student Organizations, collaborating with the Student Government Association and the Men of Excellence, and attending events to engage with his peers. His goal is to make the message personal. “It can help your friends, your peers… not just some person you’ve never met. It can actually help like your friends and your peers that are on this campus and in your community,” he said.

The biggest challenge, he says, is getting people to care. “Once you get them to care, they’ll show up.” That’s the kind of culture he’s trying to build—one where showing up becomes second nature and where giving blood is seen as an act of mutual support. As Jefferson puts it, “If I can show up for a member of my community, then I know that when I’m in need, they will show up for me.”

Murrah High School didn’t just break into the top five—they earned that spot by collecting 136 units of blood. That number matters. In communities of color, where conditions like sickle cell are more common, patients often rely on blood from donors with a similar background to get the best possible match. That means that when Black and Brown students donate, their impact is even greater. In a place like Jackson, where healthcare access can be limited, and the need is high, those 136 units represent more than just bags of blood. They represent hope for patients facing a lifetime of healthcare issues.

Murrah High School’s success shows what’s possible when young people step up—and it’s a reminder that anyone can make a difference. Whether you’re a student, an educator, or a community leader, there’s a role for you to play. Donate blood. Start a drive. Be a hero. Visit redcross.org to learn how you can help save lives in your community.