MICDS students in the Red Cross Club wanted to make an immediate difference in the lives of people in our community. One of the best ways to do this is to host a blood drive. After working with faculty moderator Mr. Greg Foster and the American Red Cross here in St. Louis, Nikitha Ada ’23 and Aeryn Jarrell ’23, the co-heads of the Red Cross Club, scheduled a drive in the North Gym for Wednesday, April 13.
There is no substitute for blood. Whenever a patient receives blood, it was due to a donor who had given it in advance. This is why it’s important to keep blood supplies stable; you never know when patients may need a life-saving blood transfusion. From accident and burn victims to heart surgery and organ transplant patients, to those battling cancer, patients of all ages are helped by blood donors. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. And did you know that just one blood donation can help save up to three lives?
“Considering we lost two weeks of advertising due to spring break I thought the blood drive was a huge success,” said Foster.
Ada and Jarrell are grateful to everyone who helped out with the blood drive. “It went amazing and it was all thanks to you,” said Ada. The goal was 32 units of blood. Thirty-seven appointments out of 37 available slots were filled, and due to the weather and other outside factors, 32 potential donors were able to attend. The drive resulted in 28 eligible units of blood, which will help up to 84 patients in need.
“Remember that you made a difference,” said Ada. “I can’t wait for us all to host this again next year!”
Thank you to our Red Cross Club for sponsoring the drive, and to all our donors!