Blood Drive

Lehman Catholic’s Student Council is hosting a blood drive on November 4 and encouraging the eligible student body to participate. Contributor: Sara Sybert



Student Council, with the help of teacher and Student Council Advisor Melissa Safreed, hosts several blood drives throughout the school year. The first one of the 2024-2025 school year is coming up on November 4 in the Lehman Catholic High School Lachey Gym. 

There is a critical need for blood throughout the country, and blood that is donated is used for critical parts of everyday medicine through blood transfusions. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, patients receiving organ transplants or cancer therapies as well as those battling health conditions such as sickle cell anemia depend on lifesaving blood transfusions. “Blood is also critical to the survival of premature babies and patients undergoing heart or joint replacement surgery,” the website says.

Donating blood is important because there is no replacement for it. It cannot be recreated in a lab, and with 4.5 million Americans needing a blood transfusion each year, the help can save a number of lives. Not only is it a generous act, but it’s simple, fast, and convenient. Solvita’s website says the process can take as little as 45 minutes. 

The history of hosting blood drives at Lehman goes back to the 1990s, under the direction of a former student council advisor, an event which Safreed continues today. 

Safreed says that she believes there are two important reasons to participate in the blood drives that Lehman (or any organization) hosts. “Participating in blood donations helps to increase the current supply of critically needed human blood and also helps the students to start a positive routine/habit for future years of helping others in need,” she says.

The reason “why” you donate isn’t necessarily important. “People donate for a number of reasons,” says Safreed. “Some donate to ‘replenish’ supply for a loved one who may have needed blood as a result of an illness or accident, others donate to earn the red cord honor, and some for the fear they may need it themselves. Then, some have no history of need and donate just to do good.”

No matter the reason, donating blood is giving the gift of life.

Students who wish to participate in the Solvita Blood Drive on November 4 can learn more about the eligibility requirements here.