By Pat C. and Erika C.
One in 20 Americans will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. Each year The Family Foundation School holds blood drives as a way to give back to people in need of blood.
On August 24, the American Red Cross (ARC) came to FFS for the fifth time. The Family School student and staff volunteers were ready to help when the ARC trucks rolled in at 11 a.m. After unloading the vehicles the ARC staff began preparing for their first appointment at 1 pm.
Alexa S., president of student government at FFS, set up the appointment times for the majority of the blood donors. The staff and students of FFS arrived between 1 and 7 p.m.
Upon their arrival, the blood donors presented their identification and read the eligibility information for donating blood. They then answered a few background questions and proceeded to the central unit where the donations began.
The blood donors were given the opportunity to make two different kinds of donations, one of which is the Double Red Cell Donation. The procedure takes an average of 35 minutes and provides the component of blood that is most in demand.
Although the donors must meet certain special requirements, both staff and students were more than willing to participate. “It felt good knowing that I was giving blood to help someone who is suffering,” said Double Red Cell donor Alexa.
Joe Rogalavich was in charge of organizing the blood drive at FFS for the second time, working in cooperation with the ARC. By the end of the day, 62 donors had given blood, including the Double Red Cell Donors.
“The people who helped me were phenomenal. The student government kids and my helpers worked great and were very supportive. There was also a lot of staff behind the scenes helping out, calling parents and faxing forms, which I was extremely grateful for.”
Overall, the students and staff of FFS were enthusiastic about the drive and happy with the results of their efforts.
