The Bridgewater-Raritan High School Red Cross Club held its annual blood drive on Monday, September 29. The event lasted all day in the library. This charitable event successfully sent blood donations and transfusions nationally. In addition to those in need, donations can also be used for research purposes.
Bridgewater-Raritan High School Red Cross club Advisor Greg Filipski explained why the school participates in this worthy cause.
“Basically, there is a person who needs blood every 2 seconds in the United States. Meaning, through all our blood drives, we need to collect that many units of blood every day to meet the demand,” he explained.
The equipment and nurses are all provided by the Red Cross organization, demonstrating the direct partnering between the high school and the Red Cross. The blood drive involves an 8-10 minute procedure for volunteers.
From burn and trauma patients to sickle cell patients, even the smallest amount of blood donated can have a significant impact on someone’s life.
The idea of getting your blood withdrawn may be scary to many. However, it can also be an amazing opportunity to give back.
Agastya Shahane, a senior and one of The Prowler‘s Editors-in-Chief who participated in the event, commented on his experience.
“Donating blood seemed very scary when going up to do it, but it was actually a great experience. I loved being able to give back to the community, and I give props to all the BRHS and blood drive staff that made this event possible,” he said.
By stepping up to the table, students are giving back to the community in full.
As for the amount of blood donations the Red Cross Club has managed to secure, the club averages around 200 units of blood donated annually from the BR club alone, through small but meaningful events like the one held on Monday. In total, the club has had 1,721 donors.
Mr. Filipski made it clear that the need for blood in our country is in high demand, and that blood drives held through the Red Cross and through mini events such as the one the Red Cross Club has held are substantial. Any and every donation counts.
Due to the hard-working members of the Red Cross Club and Mr. Filipski’s determination, the club will continue to hold events so that blood drives can be open to anyone who wants to donate to the cause.
The blood drive held on September 29 is just one of the charitable events held by the Red Cross Club each year. These events are considered very important, as they express compassion for one’s community and can ultimately help save lives.
If students would like to help be a part of the cause and donate blood, there is always the next annual fall blood drive and other events that one could be made aware of by joining the club’s Google Classroom with the code nuoi6yy.
