Trending
STEUBENVILLE -- Valentine's Day was celebrated a little differently this year for students attending Steubenville High School. "Circulate the Love" was the theme of the week. However, it wasn't for the reasons you might think. Members of the community joined students in showing their "collective heart" on Feb. 11, expressing their love for others in a different way during Valentine's Day week.
Those involved in the Nike Club held their third blood drive of the school year, collecting 26 units of blood for the American Red Cross. The campaign was the last of this year's collections, according to adviser Katrina Morrow, who said the results were slightly less than the group's goal of 27.
"Twenty-six units were collected," Morrow stated. "Our goal was 27, so we fell one short, but it is still a success. This put our yearly collection total at 85 units throughout our three blood drives."
More campaigns will be held in the future, Morrow continued, saying, "There is always a great need for blood throughout the country."
"The Red Cross is doing their best to help all communities meet that need," she said. "The Nike Club is hoping to help the Ohio Valley by hosting three blood drives during the next school year. We encourage anyone who is healthy and at least 16 years of age to take the time to donate blood and help save a life."
Teacher Jessica Cheslar supervised club members, who oversaw various stations, including the registration process and the canteen area. Donors taking part in the event included first-time donors and regular contributors.
"We've had multiple community members and a number of students," Cheslar commented regarding those who attended the drive. She added there were 30 people who registered and walk-ins were accepted.
One of those contributing the gift of life was sophomore Aubrey Slussar, who remarked her teacher was the one who inspired her to make that first donation. In regards to health informatics teacher Eliza Kelley, Slussar stated, "She told us about the importance of donating and I decided to do it. If we donate once, we can save up to three lives. And if you are able, I think you should do it."
A blood shortage stemming from COVID and other factors, including winter weather and the cold and flu season, prompted health officials to seek additional help in restocking the depleting supply. The number of blood donors has dropped to its lowest level in more than two decades, officials explained, noting blood drives are being encouraged to address the ongoing need. The Nike Club is among the many students at the school who responded to the plea, yielding 60 units from the two blood drives previously held in September and November.
Those with the American Red Cross announced that every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood, as it is essential for treating accident and burn victims, being available for those having heart surgery and organ transplants and those undergoing cancer treatments. It is not only blood recipients who benefit from donations, Red Cross officials said, noting two seniors who gave blood during the school year and collected at least 75 units, will be eligible to receive a scholarship.