Choate hosted its semi-annual Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, November 25th. The event was co-sponsored by the Interact Club and the senior class of 2008.
Thanks to all the donors, the blood drive was extremely successful. The drive, according to Mrs. Mary Pashley, “was run in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and dedicated to cancer patients of all types.” Choate has hosted this event in the fall and spring for over 20 years. The donated blood will be given to the Connecticut blood bank.
Choate students, faculty, and local townspeople flocked to the MacGuire gym Thursday between 11:45am and 4:45pm and helped the Red Cross and the state of Connecticut in their battle for blood donors.
Total goal met, 79 people were present to donate. 56 of the donors had appointments and 23 were walk-in donors. Because of the many restrictions on giving blood, 16 of the potential donators were turned away. However, 63 people successfully donated one pint of blood each to make a grand total of 63 pints. The goal of the day was 60 pints and the Red Cross was very happy to go beyond their goal. Mrs. Pashley noted, “one pint of blood has the potential to help three patients in need of blood.” Therefore, the Choate community donated enough blood to support up to 189 people in need of blood transfusions.
“The Red Cross was very pleased for 63 pints of blood that they collected in less than 8 hours of work,” said Mrs. Pashley. Nevada Trager ’08 said, “The fact that my blood will go into someone else is cool.” When asked if she would recommend donating to other people she responded, “Yes, it is not that painful.” Nathaniel Moore ’08 said he donates because “your blood can help save three people.” Moore gave had some advice for others as well: “Don’t be scared, it is not a big sacrifice to help others.”
It is very important for as many people as possible to donate this spring because the country is in desperate need of blood. Faculty member Mr. Bob Mellon has been a donator his entire life. He has donated over 30 pints of blood in his career as a donator. Mellon told The News that he has been donating for 29 years. “I know it helps people,” said Mellon. Faculty, according to Mrs. Pashley, can do more to donate. Mr. Mellon commented, “People are afraid of it; they don’t understand how simple it is.” Mrs. Pashley said that she would “encourage more adults in the community to follow the lead of the students and increase the amount of blood donors in the spring.” Mrs. Pashley was very happy with the student turnout and said, “The students always demonstrate courage by being first time donors, and they understand the fact that their blood truly helps others and saves lives.”
The 2008 spring blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, April 24th. Donors from this fall will be able to donate again, because a donator is eligible to donate every 56 days. The Choate community has high hopes for this spring, and the Red Cross hopes to see the same turnout or more. This event, yet again, has proven that the students of the Choate community are very aware of the world outside of Choate and are successful in making a difference.
