Did you know that every time a patient receives blood, it’s only because it was given in advance by a generous donor? That’s right, there’s no substitute for blood.
Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. This means that approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day just here in the U.S. In addition, nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 5,000 units of plasma are needed daily. It’s essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. And guess what? Just one donation can help save more than one life!
The Red Cross Club at MICDS is doing their part to help contribute to saving lives. They hosted a blood drive in the McDonnell Gym this past week, inviting students, parents, faculty, and staff to roll up their sleeves. “Hosting blood drives at MICDS is important because it contributes to saving lives in the community,” said Anuj Pullakandam ’24, co-head of the Red Cross Club. “Donated blood is crucial for medical treatments, surgeries, and emergencies. By facilitating blood drives, MICDS supports local hospitals and patients in need.”
He and Diane Li ’24, the other co-head, worked with their faculty sponsor, Upper School Math Teacher Melanie Moody, to organize and promote the drive. “To motivate students to become donors, we used various strategies such as raising awareness about the impact of blood donations, organizing friendly competitions or incentives such as volunteer hours, and emphasizing the importance of community service. Encouraging students to donate with their friends also made the process more appealing,” said Pullakandam.
“People should know that donating blood is a simple yet incredibly impactful way to make a positive difference in their community,” he continued. “It’s a selfless act that directly helps those in need, and by participating in blood drives, individuals can contribute to saving lives and supporting local healthcare.”
Twenty generous donors presented at our fall blood drive, and the American Red Cross was able to collect 17 units. That means, thanks to MICDS, up to 51 people can be helped!
Kamryn Reed ’24 said, “I donated because it’s a small, easy way that I can help and make a difference for someone else who needs it more than I do.”
“Living a life of service is important,” said Sarah Keen, Associate Director for Events. “I try to find ways other than donating money, like donating blood and volunteering, in order to achieve that goal. Having a blood drive on campus made it that much easier.”
“As a co-head of Teen CERT, an emergency response club, I have become aware of the need for blood in triage situations and how it can save lives,” said Norah Wright ’25. “I am healthy and I had the opportunity, so there is no reason why I shouldn’t help someone who can’t help themselves.”
Other students were more pragmatic about helping others. Joe Intagliata ’25 admitted, “I guess they need blood, and I have some. Not like I was gonna do anything better with it anyway. I just do what I can, and what needs to be done. To be honest though, I donated blood mostly to get out of history class and for the free snacks.”
Whether you come to help others, score some free snacks, or ditch a class, the Red Cross Club is grateful for your generosity. They are hosting another blood drive at MICDS in the spring, so get ready to roll up your sleeve and make a difference in our community!