JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
Marion County High School (MCHS) recently welcomed one of Blood Assurance’s mobile blood drive units to its campus in Jasper for students to participate in a blood drive.
The blood drive, hosted two to three times a year, allows high school students to participate in voluntary blood donations through proper parental permission. Kelli Haynes, the school’s Nursing Services Program teacher, explained each blood drive is sponsored by the school’s Beta Club and the Nursing Services Program. She added that the more blood drives held and the number of units collected, the greater the chance the high school can receive monetary funds from Blood Assurance’s Heroes Grant Program, with the funds being used to support the school and communities throughout the Sequatchie Valley.
“Two years ago we installed a new water fountain with a water bottle filler,” said Haynes. “And this past year, we’ve used some of the money to purchase blankets and gripper socks for the residents at NHC Healthcare in Dunlap.”
In addition to receiving grant funds, Haynes said the blood drives also help educate students on the importance of blood donations, and how donating different blood types can significantly benefit those struggling with a variety of health issues. Matthew Peoples, Team Leader and member for Blood Assurance, explained how blood drives can help with negating a student’s fears of participating in a blood drive.
He said this opportunity allows students to potentially become new blood donors, as well as becoming lifelong blood donors willing to donate to those in need, especially as Blood Assurance continues to regain pre-COVID-19 levels of donors across the nation.
“Our predominant supply of blood comes from high schoolers,” said Peoples. “The point is when we get high schoolers to donate at a young age with parental consent, it gets rid of the fear of needles and helps make life long donors.”
Peoples stated the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the number of blood donors due to widespread paranoia of being within close quarter spaces. Years later, Blood Assurance continues with its efforts to regain pre-pandemic levels of donors across the nation, as various mobile units travel to schools and educate students on the benefits of donating blood and the role blood drives play into helping others.
“Blood Assurance is not only a great company to work for, but the cause we work for is also great,” said Peoples. “The students are really stepping up. And it’s scary at first to step on the bus, but a lot of the time I see students crying and then ending up leaving and laughing once finished.”
For more information about blood donations and to schedule a blood drive, visit https://www.bloodassurance.org/