Tallmadge High School and Student Senate are hosting their annual Blood Drive. The Blood Drive will be held in the Small Gymnasium on March 4th In partnership with the American Red Cross, and is always accompanied by the event’s advisor and Student Senate Leader, Anna Blasko.
American Red Cross has information dating back to 2005 when previous Student Senate Advisor Frank Chaff led the Blood Drive at Tallmadge. Chaff and Blasko can date the blood drive back to the 1960s however, marking perhaps 65 years that Tallmadge High School has donated blood to the American Red Cross and hospitals across Ohio.
“One person donating helps three people. If we got 50 donors to come out, that’s 150 patients that we have helped locally. It’s all local, and goes toward people in Akron Children’s Hospital, Summa Health and Akron General Hospital, it doesn’t go in a bank somewhere.” Blasko said.
Uniquely, Tallmadge High School has an above-average population of O Negative, a blood type that can be given to any person regardless of their blood type, making it even more crucial for students to donate.
“Especially because we have such a high concentration, they might send that blood to Cleveland to help because it’s a universal donor” Blasko said.
Student Senate member and senior Roshni Patel has also assisted in the planning and executing of the Blood Drive each year since her freshman year.
“I love helping out for student senate because it is a great way to get volunteer hours, but is also a great way to make friends and help around the school. Being in student senate since freshman year has helped me grow as a person and has helped me gain a lot of friends at Tallmadge High School” Patel said.
Parents and Community Members, alongside Students, can donate at Tallmadge High School when they sign up through the google form or on the Red Cross App, the preferred way to sign up. The Red Cross app enables donors to track their progress, milestones, and other important information if you donate in the future. For more information regarding the Tallmadge High School Blood Drive, contact Blasko at [email protected]
