DOING HIS PART — Gage Hennis, a junior health technologies student attending the Jefferson County Vocational School, was among dozens of people who contributed blood during the school’s first of three blood drives that will take place throughout the 2025-26 school year. Held in conjunction with the American Red Cross, more than 36 viable units of blood were collected at the conclusion of Tuesday’s drive. The collections will be used toward helping to save numerous lives, according to officials. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — Students attending the Jefferson County Vocational School, along with members of the community, gathered Tuesday to donate blood to the American Red Cross.

In what was the first of three blood drives that will be held at the Bloomingdale school during the 2025-26 school year, officials were able to collect more than three dozen units of blood to help save lives of hospital patients.

Led by the JVS health technologies program, which worked in collaboration with the American Red Cross, students manned the stations, including the registration table and the canteen area which donors visit once they have donated to receive something to drink and eat to keep from feeling dizzy and to replenish fluids into their bodies.

Red Cross personnel oversaw the blood collection, which is taken to the Johnstown facility for processing prior to being sent to hospitals where donations are used in surgeries, for cancer patients and given to those who have critical needs.

The JVS has been annually hosting blood drives for years, having to take a hiatus when COVID shut down the country. Collections resumed in 2022.

According to organizers, these blood drives are among the school’s most successful events, featuring a mixture of students and community residents who work together for an important cause.

Seniors Dana Haynes and Kaylee Sandy coordinated the latest drive.

Haynes explained it was yet another triumphant venture.

“It went wonderfully,” she stated. “We had more people at this event than we had at the first of the three blood drives held last year. More students were getting involved this time.”

Haynes attributed the increase in volunteers to the health technologies promotional efforts.

Classmate Cheznie Roth agreed with Haynes, saying, “We discussed new statistics and how it saves lives. The students had access to sign-up forms and the blood drive app.”

“There is always a need for blood,” Roth added. “Giving blood saves so many lives in so many ways.”

According to statistics, one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

This was an opportunity for students at the JVS enrolled in various programs to get a glimpse of the high-tech health technologies’ lab and to interact with others.

Some of the health tech students donated blood themselves, volunteering to help support those who are in need.

For junior Gage Hennis, it was the first time he was able to give blood. And he was happy that he could be a part of it.

“I wanted to help other people, whoever needs blood,” Hennis stated as the reason he wanted to volunteer to be a donor.

Seniors Abby Kocher and Honoree Dowdell each gave their second donation, saying they simply want to help others.

“It makes me feel good that it can help to save a life,” Kocher said.

“I do it because I think it’s fun and it saves lives in the process,” added Dowdell.

“This is my first time,” junior cosmetology student Kendall Adams commented on her blood donation.

“I wanted to try something new and it could go to somebody who really needs it.”

Health technologies’ instructor Tammy Sismondo said she was pleased with the turnout and the support by the Ameican Red Cross. She said the program’s members appreciated all those who gave their time.

“We had students and community members who gave, including some who were new and others who were returning donors,” Sismondo said.

“The Red Cross staff was good with the students and donors,” she continued. “We do three blood drives a year. I think it teaches my students leadership skills, it teaches them about service above self, it teaches about giving back to the community and it teaches them communication skills. Most importantly, they are doing something good to help someone else.”

Donors received a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice for donating. Graduating health tech students have an opportunity to earn a scholarship from the Red Cross for their participation.

The second of the school’s blood drives will take place on Dec. 18.

Those wanting to sign up to be a donor at the event can do so by visiting redcrossblood.org, entering the ZIP code and locating the JVS drive.

Additional drives scheduled throughout the community include: Steubenville High School, 420 N. Fourth St., Steubenville; 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday; Christ the Teacher Academic Hall, Franciscan University of Steubenville, 1235 University Blvd., Steubenville, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14; Holiday Inn, Three Springs Drive, Weirton, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18; and the Lighthouse Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 336 W. Main St., Richmond, noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 19.