WILLIAM PENN STUDENTS ATTEMPT REGION'S LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL BLOOD DRIVE
SEE NEWS JOURNAL VIDEO AND COVERAGE OF THE BLOOD DRIVE!
New Castle, DE - On Thursday, February 24, students and staff from William Penn High School hope to continue their record-breaking streak by holding the largest one-day high school blood drive on Delmarva for the fifth year in a row.
There are 67 high schools in Blood Bank of Delmarva's School Blood Drive Program. Last year, there were 180 donors drawn at William Penn's blood drive.
"There are many factors that contribute to William Penn's success in the program, not the least of which is the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of William Penn's long-time employee, Mary Beth Kessler," said Kelly Sakiewicz, Blood Bank school blood drive coordinator. "Throughout Mary Beth's tenure as school librarian and student council advisor, she has helped organize countless blood drives at the school and recruit hundreds of donors. As a result of her efforts, along with the tremendous support of students and school administration, thousands of patients have benefitted."
William Penn staff and students also submitted the most HERO cards in the 2009-2010 school year. HERO cards can be filled out after a blood donation at any Blood Bank of Delmarva donation site and credit is given to the school.
Last school year, a total of 7,539 units of blood were collected at 125 school blood drives from September 2009 to May 2010, a near 10% increase from the previous school year. By providing a positive, first-time experience giving blood, the Blood Bank hopes to establish a relationship with young donors that will last a lifetime.
The School Blood Drive Program provides 11% of the blood supply on Delmarva. The program started in 1984 with just 140 donations at two schools.
