Neighbor News
Local high school student partners with the Red Cross to help save lives
Student sponsored Red Cross Blood Donor opportunity Friday, July 1 from 9am-2pm at the Chipman Ave VFW Hall, Melrose, MA
To help the American Red Cross ensure a sufficient blood supply this summer, Melrose High School student Jenna Santos is hosting a Leaders Save Lives blood drive on Friday, July 1 from 9AM to 2PM at the VFW Post 2394, 14 Chipman Ave, Melrose. Those who come to give will receive a Red Cross lunch cooler, while supplies last!
The Leaders Save Lives program encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply over the summer months. Students who participate as a blood drive coordinator can earn a gift card and are eligible to win a scholarship up to $2,500 for higher education.
Blood donors from high school and college blood drives account for about 20 percent of donations given through the Red Cross during the school year. Many of these blood donors do not give during the summer months when school is not in session and blood shortages can occur.
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Donating blood takes about an hour of your time and could help save up to three lives. This will be Jenna’s 4th Leaders Save Lives blood drive, her previous three blood drives have helped save up to 315 lives!
How to donate blood: Make an Appointment!
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Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org (search for Jenna’s drive by zip code 02176) or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Be sure to use the RapidPass the day of the blood drive to save time!
Did you know?
- Every 2 seconds someone needs bloods
- 1 out of 3 people will need blood or a blood product in their lifetime
- Even though 35% of the population can donate, less than 3% do locally
- Need is constant as blood is perishable
- Blood cannot be manufactured, it can only come from voluntary donors
