A Stage for Life: A Unique Collaboration Between Versiti Blood Center and Milwaukee Ballet: Where Art Represents The Community’s Heart

It’s often assumed that basketball games, open houses, and theatrical school productions are the nights that fill schools from top to bottom; however, donation events are the true cool kidz. According to the Pew Research Center, over 500,000 children participate and lead these informative, interactive and unifying events. The block parties, bake sales, and scholastic book fairs financially uplift the half-empty pockets of education systems, but a greater reward is gifted to all of the Whoopi Goldberg classrooms around the universe in the franchise movie, Sister Act [The kiddos}. Heart, soul, and kindness that lasts more than a week before their birthdays. As youngins, a broken record becomes the headshot of our audio library, spewing out the following constantly: 

Sharing is caring 

Treat others how you want to be treated 

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all 

Authoritative figures surrounding kids, such as encouraging teachers, relatable coaches, and proud parents, become the ocean they absorb like sponges ready to tackle the next clean-up. Although the phrases are constantly demonstrated to us and sung into each ear, only 50% of children choose to be kind-hearted and incorporate leadership and inspiration in their adolescence and adulthood. Hence why donation events produce an immense impact because kids gravitate towards the interpersonal playground and tangible incentives that make them feel as confident as student of the month, Milwaukee Ballet student, Sydney, also known as the daughter of Gretchen Jameson, Wisconsin Chief Marketing Officer at Versiti Blood Center, is one of those children intrigued and motivated by donation events as well as becoming a vessel of help. A powerful representation of this naturally occurred right here in the city streets of Milwaukee. She planted the seed for innovative and impactful change with just a single question. 

After witnessing countless collegiate and athletic competitions to strengthen blood donation awareness and the number of donors attached to it deemed as successful, Sydney’s eyebrows raised instantly and asked WI Chief Marketing Officer Gretchen Jameson, who she calls mom:

“Why have we never held one as Ballet being the driving force?”

If the saying “Like mother, like daughter” were a face, it’d be these two. Little did Sydney know that her mom and the rest of Versiti’s team birthed a new campaign titled A Stage for Life, which is a physical manifestation of local artistic organizations and innovative extraordinare, Versiti joining forces to increase and maintain a more diverse, promising and larger support system from the community when it comes to blood donation. 

On Friday, March 21st, 2025, Sydney’s seed had grown into the first A Stage for Life event presented by partners Versiti Blood Center and Milwaukee Ballet named as The Inaugral Sleeping Beauty Blood Drive taking place at the Baumgartner Center for Dance from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The themed blood drive caught many by surpise and intriguingly had their eyes. Blood drives and related events get mistaken for dull, quiet, and dreadful events only held in hospitals or schools that will have the same outcome whether one person decides to attend or not. The inaugural Sleeping Beauty Blood Drive showcased a creative, daring, and inviting ambience pertaining to how blood drives look and feel. 

“As part of the Stage for Life campaign, this initiative highlights the shared values of arts patrons and blood donors—community, compassion, and connection. With a goal to inspire first-time donors and encourage ongoing support, Stage for Life transforms blood donation into an act of generosity, much like the performing arts.”- Gretchen Jameson

Versiti and Milwaukee Ballet incorporated elements from the Sleeping Beauty fairytale such as home is where help begins, fate vs. free will, and the color story. Everyone in attendance also hit the lotto by receiving a buy-one-get-one-free ticket to the highly anticipated and exciting production of Sleeping Beauty presented by Milwaukee Ballet, which will run April 11th-13th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. There’s no doubt that this event became visually appealing and was rooted heavily with the arts at the forefront but shockingly, it shared more knowledge and information that was heard and received for the first time by the communities in Milwaukee.

“With this partnership, we’re creating new ways for the community to engage and make a real difference for those in need. The arts and blood donation both reflect the belief that people need people.” -Gretchen Jameson 

The three percent of blood donors who annually stamp their mark is only a raindrop in a bucket compared to the percentage of community members who are able to donate–30%. After speaking with some of them I was surprised at how frequently I was hearing the reasons why they never were willing to donate blood before. 

“I thought my blood wouldn’t transmit easily into someone else.” 

“I have many health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure.”

“I never knew where to find out when the blood drives were held.” 

“I honestly didn’t think little old me would make a difference.” 

It amazed me how once people received the correct information and a unique spin on how blood donation events are decorated and tied into other community interests, the response rate and blood donors increased drastically! I’m here to set the record straight /CW fam. As long as you are 17 years old you can donate blood every 2 months. Remember to drink mountains of water, have a balanced diet, and don’t drink any alcohol or put in work at the gym after donating to celebrate. You will make a difference because as soon as Versiti’s blood drives are over, they immediately transport all blood collected to nearby hospitals and community centers in need. “Blood cannot be designed, manufactured, or replicated. Your neighbors, family members and children need you.” -Gretchen Jameson 

Fairytales aren’t always about a man and woman falling in love and driving off into the sunset. Most of the time, the message illustrates how it takes a village to establish tremendous health, connection, community, and compassion. 

Couldn’t make this event? No worries. This is only the very beginning for Versiti to partner up with other art organizations in the city to create an electrifying movement bringing music, visual arts, theatre, dance, and blood donation to center stage!

Visit their resource center located inside the ThriveOn King organization at 2153 N Dr.MLK Drive in Milwaukee, WI [right across the street from our studio /CW Creative Studios + Shop]. Drop a heart or clapping hands under their posts from the inaugural Sleeping Beauty Blood Drive on their Instagram @versitiblood

Desriana Gilbert | Entertainment & Social Journalist for /CW