February 15, 2017

Pope Francis High School Student Council to host blood drive March 2

REGIONAL
Staff report 

(IObserve photo/courtesy of Pope Francis High School)

CHICOPEE – Pope Francis High School, a faith-based college preparatory school serving grades nine-12, announced that the Student Council will host its spring blood drive Thursday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holy Name of Jesus Church at Assumption Parish Hall on Chapman Street, here.

According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood, which averages out to about 36,000 units of red blood cells that are needed every day. For example, a single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood at once. However, although an estimated 38 percent of the nation’s population is eligible to donate blood at any time, less than 10 percent of those eligible actually do each year. Since blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors – blood donations are vitally important.

There are four types of transfusable products that can be derived from one blood donation: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Typically, two or three of these are produced from a pint of donated whole blood, which means that each donation can help save up to three lives. Blood donors must be in general good health, at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds.

The actual blood donation is a four-step process:

• Registration – Sign in and review basic eligibility and donation information
• Mini-physical – Answer questions about health history, check temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood
• Donation – Takes about eight-10 minutes during which the donor is seated comfortably
• Refreshment – Before a donor can return to normal daily activities, he or she should have a snack and something to drink

“We encourage anyone in the community to consider scheduling an appointment to donate,” said Student Council advisor Lynn Leone. “Potential donors can register for the event by contacting the school directly. We’ll also welcome walk-ins.”  

To schedule an appointment, call (413) 331-2480. For more information about Pope Francis High School, please visit popefrancishigh.org.