The Red Cross Club collected 70 units of blood during its annual student spring blood drive on March 4. Students donated an additional 14 units of red blood cells, a process known as the Power Red.
The community blood drive followed from 3-7 p.m., yielding an additional 35 units of blood, one of the highest totals ever collected from that group.
Student volunteers were on hand to provide donors with blankets, sugary snacks, and water while they waited in recovery.
One of the phlebotomists working with the American Red Cross shared her journey. Having had no prior medical experience with sticking, a reference to drawing blood, she was trained by the Red Cross and now travels to different schools in the area to work the drives.
“Methacton is one of the best schools when it comes to donating blood. Every year, we look forward to working with you guys,” she said.
Students who signed up but were turned away may have been deferred for a number of reasons, including small veins, anemia, low iron levels, and body weight-to-height ratios.
Students interested in volunteering at blood drives can email Nurse Thompson at kthompson@methacton.org. The next drive is scheduled for the fall of 2025.
