STLCOP Athlete Selected for Red Cross Leadership Training and Scholarship
Donated blood helped save Samantha Bryant's brother. Now she is working on saving more lives. Bryant, a second-year student, basketball, and track and field athlete at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, was one of just 14 student-athletes across the country selected to attend the Red Cross NAIA Collegiate Leadership Program. She'll travel to the Red Cross national headquarters in Washington, D.C., in June. There, Bryant will take part in coaching, mentoring, and professional leadership training.
For Bryant, the opportunity is a chance to give back.
"It is vital for me to promote the importance of giving blood, after blood transfusions helped save my brother's life during cancer treatments," Bryant says. "I'm proud to be working with the Red Cross. It was a big surprise to be selected to attend the leadership program."
Once her training is complete, she'll be organizing and promoting blood drives on campus and across the region. Bryant is from Baring, a small community in northeast Missouri.
"This is a big honor for Samantha," says Athletic Director Jill Harter. "She's the first Eutectic to be selected for the leadership program. We are very proud of her."
Samantha is working toward her Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
"In my time at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, I've seen how pharmacists positively impact the community," Bryant says. "I know I'll come back from this training with a deeper knowledge that will make me and my classmates stronger health care leaders."