On Monday, Feb. 26, KO hosted its annual Warren Baird Blood Drive in Soby Gym; the blood drive was planned by the Future Medical Professionals Club in partnership with the American Red Cross.
The annual drive began after former and longtime English teacher Warren Baird passed away from a blood disorder that required him to have regular blood transfusions. The drive was then named in his honor and works to promote awareness about the importance of donating blood.
The drive was planned by the Future Medical Professionals Club, which worked to promote the event around campus and encourage people to donate in order to reach their target amount, 52 units of blood. They created posters and encouraged students and faculty to donate during weekly assemblies leading up to the event. Science Department Chair Fritz Goodman also shared a personal story of the impact blood donations has had on him during an assembly. Mr. Goodman needed blood transfusions as a kid after receiving serious injuries when he was hit by a car as he was riding his bike. Many of the club members also donated blood and staffed the event by volunteering.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a blood shortage, so the importance of donating has been heightened even more. In the past few years, fewer people have been donating blood, causing the Red Cross to declare an emergency blood shortage. This has created a very problematic circumstance, as according to the Red Cross, someone in the United States requires blood every two seconds.
This year the club’s goal of 52 units of blood was ambitious. There were 35 people signed up for the drive, but often on the day of the drive, there are extenuating circumstances as to why some people can’t donate like being sick or having low iron. The drive ended up collecting 39 units of blood for those in need.
Future Medical Professionals faculty advisor Carloyn McKee stressed the importance of donating blood. “I have a personal story about my sister who needed blood transfusions,” she said. “I think when you’re touched in that way where somebody you know is impacted or relies on those donations, it reminds you how important it is.”
Senior club leader Nicolas Tippner also shared the dire importance of donating blood. “I think we all know at least one person, if not more, that’s needed blood,” he said. “Giving back to make sure the stores don’t get depleted and they have enough for people is really important.”
To donate, there was an age and weight requirement. Students who were 16 or 17 had to meet a certain weight requirement based on their height and obtain parental consent to donate. Even if someone wasn’t eligible to donate, Ms. McKee shared how volunteering at a drive or spreading the word about the issue is still a great way to support the cause.
The drive often takes place around the same date every year, but Ms. McKee plans to consider moving the date to allow more students, particularly athletes, to donate. “I think I’m going to move it one week later next year,” she said. “With a lot of teams at the end of their seasons, their coaches don’t want them to give blood.”
The annual drive allowed the KO community to help address the need for blood and was once again a success which can be attributed to those who donated and the meticulous planning that went into the event!
