The American Red Cross says, "the need is constant, the gratification instant."
Marshall students and volunteers responded to that need by rallying together for a blood drive in the Marshall High School (MHS) gymnasium Monday.
Loretta McCarthy, donor resource for the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross, said the blood drive was a success even though the turnout was slightly lower than last spring because fewer students were eligible to donate. There were 76 appointments, which was hoped to bring in 62 units of blood. "We're having a great blood drive," McCarthy said. "It's going really smooth."
In less than six hours, 55 whole blood units of blood were collected, including three double red units.
"That's 90 percent on our goal of 61 units and a huge success," McCarthy said.
There were 67 presenting donors with 11 deferrals, mostly from low hemoglobin/iron and four with an insufficient amount of blood to fill the bag. There were a total of 44 new donors, which McCarthy said was "an amazing number."
"High school and college students make up 20 percent of the annual donor base," McCarthy said. "Student donors are critical to helping maintain the blood supply that our hospitals require. Our hope with students is that they will accept the life–saving opportunity each of us has to offer, begin donating at an early age and continue donating throughout their lifetime."
Last year, MHS provided the American Red Cross with 151 units, which included a Special Mobile Unit Drive May 20.
"In Calhoun County the average donor presents to donate 1.7 times per year," McCarthy said. "People are eligible to donate up to six times per year."
One unit of whole blood can be separated into three components, thus impacting three lives. The components are: plasma, red blood cells and platelets.
"We are grateful for the on–going and consistent support we receive in Marshall," McCarthy said.
McCarthy is especially grateful to one woman, Marshall resident Gloria Briggs.
"She′s practically an angel," McCarthy said. "She′s an amazing woman who does a lot for the community with little thanks. That′s just who she is. I just think she′s an astonishing woman."
Briggs is a MHS graduate and has been with the Oaklawn Hospital Auxiliary since 1992. She has been volunteering at blood drives for over six years and has been working on the blood mobile for 14 years. Briggs received her four–gallon pin. Donating eight times equals one gallon of blood.
Briggs encourages the younger crowd to get involved.
"We need younger people to donate and volunteer because the older volunteers are having to quit because of health or age," she said. "Things just don't go without volunteers. We′d like to see more people step up and volunteer. Someday they may need blood themselves, and it′s a way that they can give."
Sponsors for the MHS blood drive were Rhonda Step, secretary to the principal, and Ben Dorr, a social studies teacher at MHS.
Dorr was in charge of finding student volunteers for the event.
"There's been a real large turnout," he said. "A lot of kids giving their time, giving their blood, and that's really cool to see."
Eleven students volunteered for the blood drive, five of which came in at 6 a.m. to help set up.
"It′s an important civic duty," Dorr said. "It′s good to help other in whatever way you can."
Senior Stacey Hughes not only gave her blood, but also her time for the past three years.
"I have O+ and I know that can go to a lot of people," Hughes said. "I feel pretty good after donating." Hughes believes there′s a lot more people in this school that could give blood than do." Not enough people give blood," she said. "It′s nice to help out and get people to do it."
Junior Alex Yost said he′s glad he donated.
"I do it to help other people in need," he said.
Seniors Maura McCarthy and Mattie Damron both said they give blood to help other people live.
Student incentives include two at the MHS blood drive there were two Cedar Point tickets awarded to one of donors.
