BY EMMA FRANZ
It’s two weeks after spring break and CCHS students are already back to working diligently to achieve a common goal.
In previous years, winter was the prime time for CCHS blood drives, but an additional philanthropic event took place this year on both April 10 and April 11.
Cooper’s very own Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) students helped to carry out the event by collaborating with OneBlood, a non-profit community asset responsible for providing safe, available and affordable blood.
“I can’t donate, but I think people who can, should,” freshman Mark Mayrovitz said. “They need people to donate and it could potentially save someone’s life.”
The student volunteers gathered the eligible donors from their study hall period to contribute to the OneBlood drive. The student volunteers continued to show their support by donating blood themselves, handing out necessary forms and setting up the booths.
“NJROTC loves to help people in general, and this proves our leadership and dedication to others,” junior Rafael Nieves said. “I love helping people and I had the chance to do just that.”
Unlike most blood banks who require donors to be 18 years of age, OneBlood allowed CCHS students who were 16 years or older to participate in the blood drive. These individuals needed to have the appropriate parental consent form and meet the minimum weight requirement of 110 pounds.
About 36,000 pints of blood are needed every day in the United States and 6.8 million people donate a year. That being said, it is crucial for those who can donate to participate.
“I can’t donate, but I think people who can, should,” freshman Mark Mayrovitz said. “They need people to donate and it could potentially save someone’s life.”
There is a never-ending list of reasons to donate to a blood bank, some of which include rare diseases, emergency blood transfusions and platelet transfusions for those with conditions such as anemia and cancer.
“We were really happy with this outcome because it was a lot more than the previous one,” blood drive coordinator and senior Sophie Rastrelli said.
“Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood,” the American Red Cross states. Each generous donation is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Making a difference starts with one person, whether a patient receives a whole blood transfusion platelets or plasma.
NJROTC made improvements since the last OneBlood drive took place. Participation increased for the spring blood drive compared to the previous winter drive. There were approximately 38 successful donations on the first day of the blood drive and 25 on the second.
“We were really happy with this outcome because it was a lot more than the previous one,” blood drive coordinator and senior Sophie Rastrelli said.
The commitment and support doesn’t end here. NJROTC will continue the tradition of their biannual OneBlood drives in the winter of 2019 followed by the spring of 2020.
Photo by Cassie Hartmann
