Hills Teen Aims to Win Scholarship with Blood Drive

Aubrie Hurt was looking for scholarships when she found one that not only would help her continue her education, it would allow her to give back in honor of a very special gift.

To earn a scholarship from the American Red Cross, the graduate is hosting a blood drive from 1-7 p.m. June 8 at Faith Bible Church, 23414 Orchard Lake Rd. in Farmington Hills.

Two years ago, a blood transfusion saved her life, she said.

"In the summer of 2009, I was in with internal bleeding from an ovarian cyst," Hurt explained. "I received two transfusions because I was anemic."

Aubrie's mother, April Hurt, said the experience was very scary. While initially reluctant to have her daughter receive a transfusion, she said that after Aubrie's health crisis, "I am no longer reluctant. I realize blood transfusions are a good thing."

While Aubrie initially wanted to have the blood drive at her school, Farmington High School had already held a blood drive this year.

"You're only allowed to give every 56 days, so we lost several of her people," April Hurt said.

The number of donors will determine the amount of Aubrie's scholarship. Her personal goal is to get to 150 donors, which would mean a $1,000 scholarship to help her get to Grand Valley State, where she plans to major in psychology and ultimately get a master's degree in occupational therapy. 

The need for blood and blood products is always high this time of year, but even more so now because of the recent disastrous storms in the Midwest, according to the American Red Cross website.

To donate to Aubrie Hurt's blood drive, you may make an appointment at redcrossblood.org: click on "Enter a Sponsor Code" in the "Find a Blood Drive Near You" box and enter "faithbiblefh." You also may walk in any time between 1-7 p.m. June 8.