The Blood Drive facilitated the donation of 30 liters of blood, enough to save up to 90 lives. Photo by Ryan Kim/The Choate News
Last Friday, October 19, students and faculty alike had the opportunity to save three lives each at Choate’s first blood drive of the year. The event, organized by the Choate Red Cross Club and facilitated by a Connecticut-based branch of the American Red Cross, ran from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Macguire Gym. Students and faculty ages 17 and older that fulfilled certain physical requirements were able to donate. Participants each gave one liter of blood, an amount capable of saving as many as three lives.
In the wake of several natural disasters, including Hurricane Michael, which hit Florida’s panhandle on October 10, the Red Cross is urging people to help however they can, whether that be by donating blood or money.
The American Red Cross set a goal for Choate of 48 individual donations. The majority of the school’s students are younger than 17, and yet Choate beat the Red Cross’s goal. Fifty-four members of the community gave blood.
In an attempt to help alleviate blood shortages, Choate students have pushed for more opportunities to donate blood. In the past, the Choate Red Cross Club hosted two blood drives each year. But starting last fall, with the approval of the Red Cross, Choate began to hold a blood drive each term, three per school year.
The Choate Red Cross Club is also striving to extend projects beyond blood drives. As Choate progresses further into the school year the Choate Red Cross Club is hoping to participate in more diverse events, such as supporting veterans in need or raising awareness for fire safety. Will Kanders ’19, vice-president of the Red Cross Club, said that the club, “wanted to take it a step further because, before, we were kind of a blood drive club, and we’re trying to get past that.”
Recently, there have also been critics that have spoken out about the Red Cross, voicing concerns regarding their use of financial donations and issues of who is allowed to give blood. Even amid these complaints, however, the Choate Red Cross Club has confidence in the organization. Ms. Melissa Koomson, Director of Community Service, said, “I think people are always going to find some faults with any organization … but there is a great need for blood donations.”
