On Monday, Feb. 27, over 50 KO students, faculty, and staff donated a unit of blood in the school’s annual Warren Baird Blood Drive, in partnership with the American Red Cross.
For over 20 years, this event has been on the yearly calendar. The drive was started after former English teacher and founder of the Symposium program, Warren Baird, passed away from a blood disorder. The drive is named in his honor and creates awareness on campus about the impacts of blood donation.
For the past few years, the Health Organizations club has been influential in the organizing, advertising, and volunteering aspects of the Blood Drive. Senior club president Sophia Brunalli and faculty advisor Carolyn McKee worked with the Red Cross to prepare for this event. “We were sent registration information, flyers, and posters, which was really helpful,” Sophia said. “It’s pretty smooth sailing once you get registered with the Red Cross.”
Ms. McKee agreed, adding that the development of an online portal made the process easier. “We stay on their yearly calendar, and then they keep us in touch,” she said. Ms. McKee contacted a regional Biomedical Account Manager for registration formalities and left the rest to be worked out by the Health Organizations club.
With over 40,000 units transfused into patients daily, the shortage is taking away people’s lifelines. “It’s so important that we’re donating blood, and it’s so great that we’re getting these younger people to realize the importance of blood donation,” Sophia said. “There are some teachers who’ve been doing this for years, but a lot of people don’t realize that this is possible at such a young age.”
There were 65 appointment slots available throughout the day, and this year’s goal for donation was 40 pints. “Oftentimes, there are people who come who can’t give,” Ms. McKee said. “Either their iron’s low, so they’re anemic, or something happens and they don’t end up giving.” Some students also canceled appointments due to upcoming post-season athletic commitments. By the end of the day, the Red Cross had collected 38 units of blood.
Senior Luke Roen commented on his positive experience donating. “I feel good. I don’t feel anything too abnormal,” he said. “I don’t like it when I can feel my pulse, but I’ll do whatever I can to help!”
As a volunteer, sophomore, and leader of Health Organizations Stella Zimmer was happy to help out and was inspired to become more involved as a donor in the future. “Since I’m not old enough to donate, doing this still gives back to the community,” she said. “When I get older and I’ll be able to donate, I definitely will because it’s a very scary thing to do, but people need blood.”
Next year, Ms. McKee hopes to bring the Red Cross to KO on a Friday rather than the usual Monday to allow for more student and faculty involvement. “I would love to have a PLB, so there’s a time when the whole school is free,” she said.
Thanks to all that donated blood, and to those who volunteered and helped to run this meaningful and impactful KO tradition!
