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Source: Hadley's Hope |
By Sam Piha
We first learned about Hadley Gray from an article by Giving Tuesday, which we posted last week. She was profiled because she helped organize a blood drive as a fifth grader, and saw something powerful: people showing up to help complete strangers, simply because they could.
Today, she is the founder and director of Hadley’s Hope foundation, a compassionate nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing vital support and she’s helping create those same opportunities for others. Through community blood drives, Hadley is showing others that giving back doesn’t always require money — sometimes it simply requires the time, care, and a willingness to step up for your community.
We interviewed Hadley to learn more about organizing blood drives, building partnerships, and how youth-led generosity can create real impact.
Q: What inspired you to serve others as described in your blood donor article?
A: What first inspired me to get involved with serving my community was my mom, when I was about 4 years old. She was always involved in helping organize charity races for people battling cancer. Before the races I would help put the raffle boxes together and the day of the race I would work the raffle table and hand out water bottles to the runners. When I got older, I had ideas of things I wanted to do for the community. Each event or thing I do for my community is inspired by something I have seen or heard. I listen to what our community needs and see how I can help.
When I was in 5th grade I was involved with the National Junior Honors Society. The leader in charge of the group always organized a blood drive that was held in our gym. The NJHS students were to help check in the donors for the blood donation company. I remember how easy it was for the community to sign up and come donate blood, it was always busy. We live farther out and at the time there weren’t any blood donation companies located out in our area. As I got older, I heard on the radio that the hospitals were short on blood, they said it was a critical shortage. I remember how simple it was to set up a blood drive, so I started contacting different companies until one called me back and we were able to plan my first blood drive.
Q: Most afterschool programs are school-based. How should people partner with schools if they are interested in sponsoring a blood drive?
A: From my experience with the schools here in Arizona, you have to first email administration. They generally then ask you to partner with a school club. Most of the time they will recommend a specific club that would likely want to partner with you. Then you would contact them to see if they would be interested in partnering up and make sure you give them all the details. Normally there are no issues.
Q: If a person under 18 wants to participate in a blood drive, do they need parent permission?
A: People 16 and older can donate blood. They require all 16 year olds to get a form signed by their parents. There are 7 states that require parental permission for 17 year olds; Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Q: If afterschool leaders want to learn more on how to sponsor a blood drive, can they contact you at your foundation?
A: Yes, I’m more than happy to help with what I can. I can be reached at hadley@hadleyshope.org.
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| Hadley Gray |
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