Makenna and Clara, graduating seniors and passionate supporters of their school blood drives, have helped reshape how their campus—and their generation—engages with blood donation through creativity and social media.
What began as a simple effort to promote school blood drives evolved into a widely shared series of humorous skit videos designed to encourage participation. One video went viral, reaching 1.3 million likes and demonstrating the powerful reach of peer-to-peer messaging in raising awareness for blood donation. Check it out here!
“We knew people were entertained by funny and inspiring videos, so we made some with just that,” Clara said.
Makenna’s involvement was inspired by the story of Warwick teen Matthew Dennison and the continued advocacy of his family. That connection motivated her to take action and encourage others to support the blood supply. “Donating blood means saving three lives,” Makenna shared. “If anyone I knew needed blood, I’d be there right away.”
Clara, who has been a regular donor since turning 16, also played an active role in organizing promotions, welcoming donors, and using social media to make the donation experience feel more approachable—particularly for first-time donors. She noted that her favorite moment came after their content went viral, when viewers commented that the videos inspired them to donate. “I loved that it gave people a laugh but also made them want to start donating,” she said.
Together, Makenna and Clara exemplify a new generation of advocates—Gen Z students using humor, storytelling, and digital platforms to inspire lifesaving action.
Both students will attend the University of Rhode Island this fall, where they plan to continue donating blood and encouraging their peers to get involved. On behalf of the Rhode Island Blood Center team, congratulations to Makenna and Clara on their impactful advocacy and upcoming graduation.