By Charlotte Howard and Emilia Privat, News Editors
COLONIAL GYM — On Dec. 12, Colonial School will host the blood drive that’s been going on for a few years now. The blood drive has been rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy. More and more people are needed for blood because drives around the area were cancelled due to the storm.
“The NY Blood Center (the organization we work with for our blood drive) is projecting a shortfall of 12,000 units in the next 30 days,” wrote Mrs. Louise Kelly, who is organizing the Colonial blood drive.Read more about that in a press release here.
The colorful posters students created are hung all over Colonial. They include all the information you need to know. The drive starts at 3:15 pm and runs to 7:45 pm. Fourth and fifth graders will be little doctor assistants during the drive. They will surprise donors with a thank you card for donating blood and hand out snacks and drinks. They can also babysit children in Mrs. Gerhardt’s classroom. There will be a movie playing for the kids.
Are you not so sure about going to the blood drive? Let’s get you more into the idea. Many kids suffer from all different kinds of blood disease. So be brave, go downstairs to the gym and donate a pint to save three lives. Think about that. You will be a hero for donating blood. Now spread the word and remember to drink and eat before coming to the blood drive.
“Ordinarily, a five to seven day supply is required to ensure that blood is available for scheduled surgical procedures, medical treatments for cancer patients and to meet emergency or unexpected disaster needs,” said a letter from Mrs. Wilson, the principal. “To meet local needs,New York Blood Center requires 2,000 blood donations each day.”
In conclusion, you might be scared, you might be worried, but in the end, all these people are trying to save lives and you should too. Last year, Colonial school collected 56 pints of blood, an amount that helped as many as 168 people. Also, if you are willing to donate platelets, it is a big deal and thank you.
This story also appears on the Colonial Times website.
