Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- Frank Moullet, president and blood drive coordinator of the Residence Hall Association at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, recently represented UWP at the American Red Cross Volunteer Administration Institute Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The conference focused on new and innovative ways to involve volunteers in the American Red Cross. All Moullet's expenses were paid by the American Red Cross.

Kathryn A. Forbes, the national chair of volunteers for the American Red Cross, invited Moullet to the conference because of the success of the UWP blood drives. Moullet helped make the UWP blood drive one of the largest mobile blood drives in the state. The fall 2006 blood drive collected 563 units, breaking the previous record of 461 units. About 15 percent of the student body donates. The blood drives are held once a semester.

Moullet presented The Iron Content Initiative Program at the conference and the information was distributed to blood drive coordinators worldwide. Moullet developed the program to expand the blood drive even more and decrease deferral rates. Having low iron content is the number one reason people are unable to donate blood. The program takes a proactive approach. Moullet worked with UWP Dining Services to mark foods high in iron content with placards at Glenview Commons for 15 days prior to the blood drive. Coinciding, a display board is set up that educates students about the program. Since the program was initiated, deferral rates have decreased to less than 10 percent. The national average deferral rate is approximately 30 percent.

During the conference, Moullet was invited to dinner with the national chair of biomedical services, Brian Hamil. Hamil invited Moullet to apply for the Presidential Internship Program. This program consists of 25 interns who work with different department heads in an array of areas from biomedical services to government policies. Moullett was also asked to join the Badger-Hawkeye Region Board of Directors.

The highlight of the conference for Moullet was meeting Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, the chairperson of the Red Cross appointed by President George Bush. "It was a surprise to meet her, but it was nice to see how kind and friendly she was," said Moullet.

Moullet is considering taking a position with the American Red Cross upon graduation and starting a Red Cross Club at UWP.

"The experience was unforgettable. The people at the conference came from all walks of life and are so willing to go the extra mile to help their fellow man," stated Moullet.

Moullet is a junior majoring in biology and business administration with a minor in chemistry. He is a 2004 graduate of Platteville High School and the son of Dave and Anita Moullet of Chetek.

Contact: Frank Moullet, president and blood drive coordinator, Residence Hall Association, (608) 342-1844, moulletf@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,kurdik@uwplatt.edu