Students at MHS stepped up to donate 35 units of blood during the LifeServe blood drive on Monday, March 2. Janelle Korstjens, MHS teacher and coordinator of the drive, said, “This year we switched over from Red Cross to LifeServe to be consistent with our hospital’s provider. LifeServe serves local hospitals, so our donations stay in our communities.”
The drive inspired 14 first-time donors : Anna Neugebauer, Bailey Cardwell, Dana Chan Castellanos, Estelle Schweer, Hallee Green, Jacob Giles, Jeryn Borman, Jose Chan Castellanos, Josue Lopez Garcia, Kalli Grong, Kalli Moser, Rebecca Johnson, Rileigh Gapp, and Shane Martin.
“Welcoming new donors is essential to the long-term sustainability of the blood supply. These students demonstrated courage and compassion by stepping outside their comfort zones to help patients in need,” stated Abbie Arneson, territory representative for LifeServe. “Their willingness to give of themselves at such a young age speaks volumes about the strength of the Milbank community.”
It was the second drive of the school year. This time, 39 students and community members registered to participate, and 33 were able to successfully donate. LifeServe estimated the blood collected will help up to 105 patients.
“When teachers introduce blood donation to high school students, they are not only impacting patients right now, they are potentially making an impact that is felt for decades,” Arneson said. “Students who donate in high school are far more likely to continue donating throughout adulthood. That long-term commitment is also essential to sustaining our blood supply.”
Korstjens explained how the blood drive helps give back to the community in another way, “We appreciate all who support our school’s blood drives because, besides helping people through the blood donation, they also are helping senior scholarships, depending on the number of blood units we get through donations.”
Korstjens noted, “A big question that is often asked is: ‘Do our donations from previous years still count?’ The answer is, “Yes.” LifeServe will transfer your donations so you can still keep track of your lifetime donations.“
The next Milbank blood drive is scheduled for Monday, April 27. It will be held at the 4-H building from Noon until 5:30 p.m. Appointments are encouraged, and walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment: lifeservebloodcenter.org
Call 800-287-4903 or text LIFESERVE to 999-777.
Submitted Photos: Top-Jeryn Borman, Middle-Dana Chan Castellanos, Bottom- Sara Colombe.
Staff
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