Sacred Heart Greenwich’s Red Cross Club hosted the annual American Red Cross Blood Drive from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. yesterday, March 3. Sacred Heart community members who are 17 and older participated in the event to give back and save lives. 

Sacred Heart graduate Jennie Chieco ‘13 was in eighth grade when she first hosted a blood drive at school for her “Making History” project. The “Making History” project concludes the Middle School theology curriculum and gives students the opportunity to effectuate change in a social justice issue through research and volunteer work. When Jennie came to the Upper School, she started the Red Cross Club and continued to host annual blood drives.
This year, the Red Cross Club heads are seniors Jackie Beshoory, Kristen Davis, Maggie Davis, and Shannon Pyne. Throughout this past year, the Red Cross Club organized and recruited volunteers for the event. They also worked with a representative from the American Red Cross, Ms. Melissa Berigan, to ensure that yesterday’s event was a success. 

When donors entered the blood drive in the DuBois Gymnasium, the potential donors registered and answered questions about their health history to ensure that they were qualified to give blood.  Those who qualified, donated a pint of blood. Afterward, the American Red Cross staff stored the blood in an ice cooler and transported it to a Red Cross laboratory. The American Red Cross will send the blood to Greenwich Hospital.
According to redcrossblood.org, patients in the United States need blood every two seconds.  American Red Cross announced that it is in urgent need of donors February 1. According to greenwichsentinel.com, American Red Cross canceled over 300 blood drives due to weather, which led to 10,500 uncollected donations.
“Giving blood is something that I have always wanted to do, and I am glad that I am finally old enough to participate. It is rewarding to think that I could be saving someone’s life,” junior Julia Herzig said.
The Red Cross Club offered incentives to encourage participation. The Red Cross Club will reward the grade that gathers the most donors, whether they are students, parents, or friends, with a civvies day and hot chocolate. Additionally, the faculty department that donates the most blood will receive baked goods.

The Red Cross Club’s goal was to have at least 32 donors. All 68 slots available for donors to give blood were filled. and 36 students, parents, and faculty were eligible, exceeding the Red Cross Club’s objective.
“Whatever your reason for donating, the need for blood is constant, and contributions are important for a healthy and reliable blood supply for people who need blood immediately,” Kristen said.