CCSU Blood Drive in Support of Maternal Health Awareness

Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) is preparing for its fourth annual campus-wide blood drive, an event university officials say is designed to address critical gaps in maternal healthcare.

The drive, organized by the university’s Maternal Health Advocacy Club, will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 from 10:00am to 3:30pm in the Student Center’s Alumni Hall. CCSU says that the event is held in recognition of Maternal Health Awareness Day.

“The blood drive supports maternal patients facing pregnancy-related complications,” CCSU says, “including postpartum hemorrhage, one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. Blood donation plays a critical role in maternal healthcare.”

“Events such as this blood drive directly support the healthcare infrastructure that protects pregnant and postpartum individuals while also raising awareness of the urgent need to improve maternal health outcomes in the United States,” says Tamara Holland, a CCSU Nursing professor and faculty co-advisor to the club.

Holland highlights a sobering reality regarding the state of maternal care in the United States – that maternal health in the US is an “outlier” compared to other developed countries.

“The United States continues to experience significantly higher maternal morbidity and mortality rates,” Holland notes, adding, “With approximately 800 women dying each year.”

The Maternal Health Advocacy Club at Central works to improve outcomes through education and community outreach, CCSU says.

“As a faculty co-advisor to the Maternal Health Advocacy Club, I work closely with student leaders to support their efforts in translating awareness into action,” Holland says. “This annual blood drive reflects the club’s ongoing dedication to meaningful, impact-driven advocacy and demonstrates how student-led initiatives can contribute to addressing systemic health disparities.”

“To make an appointment to donate blood,” CCSU says, “visit www.redcross.org and enter sponsor code CCSU.”