SCHOOLS
For a Good Cause
Vitalant, DVUSD team up to allow students to donate blood By Jadyn Fisher
T
here are small acts of kindness people can do daily that make their community brighter or to help someone in need. Something as simple as picking up trash or spreading kind words can make an impact, but what about bigger acts of kindness and compassion? Many people donate blood twice a year for this reason, and many schools across DVUSD, including Sandra Day O’Connor High School, help make this accessible to students. Students older than age 16 can sign up to donate blood on a specific date, have a permission slip signed and be excused from class to donate blood. Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services), a blood donation organization, comes to the school with dozens of trained professionals and sets up a blood donation center in the school. Students check in during their ap-
pointed time slot, are screened, seated and have their blood drawn in a matter of about an hour. They also have the equipment for plasma donations, alongside the whole blood. With a single donation, up to three lives can be saved, as blood donations are always needed locally as well as worldwide. Giving young students the option to donate blood every six months in a convenient time and place could lead to lifelong habits of doing so. According to givingblood.org, somebody needs a blood donation every 2 seconds. At Sandra Day O’Connor, about 80 pints of blood are donated per blood drive cycle. O’Connor senior Gavin Moriarty has given five times.
“They always make it such an easy, swift process,” he says. “I’m so happy I get the chance to donate twice a year, and it makes me feel good that I can help save some lives just by taking a little bit of time out of my day.” Students may donate to get out of class, get free food, obtain service hours or just help out. At any rate, it makes a huge impact for hospitals and people in need. Th is small act of kindness can save many lives. For more information on how to donate, go to vitalant.org.
In uncertain times, work with people you trust! We live here and care about our 85085 neighbors, your home values, and supporting our local businesses. 85085 Residents Joshua Heape, Sales Manager Mortgage Loan Originator | NMLS #259201
O: 604-384-2339 | C: 602-330-6446 | jheape@canopymortgage.com Canopy Mortgage 18444 North 25th Ave Suite 420-527, Phoenix, AZ 85023
“Like” our community page Facebook.com/Norterra 85085
Shelley Sakala, Realtor
602-421-2324
shelley@thesakalagroup.com
APRIL 2020 |
85085
11
