St. Andrew's Blood Drive Her Donation

“It could be any of us who need blood,” said junior Angelika Pellegrino at St. Andrew’s School in Barrington.

That’s why Angelika pushed for and coordinated a five-hour visit by the Rhode Island Blood Center’s mobile van last Tuesday afternoon on the Federal Road campus.

“I had a friend who died from cancer, and other friends who were in a car accident,” Angelika said.

They served as inspiration for her to contact the blood center and set up a visit to the private school.

The blood center received 40 donations or about 120 liters of blood, Angelika said. Officials only expected to receive half that amount.

“We also exceeded the goal of the visit to the campus last year,” she said.

Angelika first cleared the visit with the admissions director and the headmaster. It was practically a done deal. The only hitch was that the gymnasium was in use Tuesday afternoon.

“That’s why they brought the van,” Angelika said.

She gave out drinks and “entertained people” throughout the visit, she said.

“Blood only has a five-day shelf life,” Angelika said. “That makes it even more important to donate blood.”

There is always a need, she said.