Hamburg High School students rolled up their sleeves and donated blood at the Leo Club’s fall Miller-Keystone Blood Drive on Oct. 14.
“Every pint that we get makes a difference,” said Charles Mowery, mobile services, Miller-Keystone Blood Bank. “Especially right now with all the flooding and problems they had down south with the hurricane. Blood banks share with each other.”
Mowery said most of the Miller-Keystone blood stays right here in Berks, Lehigh, Montgomery and Schuylkill counties and now further toward Lebanon and Lancaster as well.
“But most of it comes here. If you go to Penn State Health St. Joe’s, Reading Hospital or Lehigh Valley Hospital, you’re going to get a pint of Miller-Keystone Blood that some student may have donated today,” said Mowery. “We’re a local community blood bank.”
Mowery said blood drives at high schools are great because they usually have a very good turn out and the students and staff are very helpful, with a list of registered donors ready to go.
About 60 students, teachers, staff and administration donated blood at the drive, about half of which pre-registered to donate.
“Thank you so much for donating when you donate,” said Mowery. “Thank you so much for all the people who have donated in the past and who are going to come and donate. We could always use new blood.”
Leo Club advisor Teresa McCarthy said Leo Club hosts a blood drive at the high school three times a year, October, February and May. The Club has been hosting blood drives for the past 21 years. Anyone 17 or older can donate. After donating they receive snacks. Leo Club members assist during the drive. Teachers and staff volunteer as well.
McCarthy hopes students learn “how to save a life. Something as simple as a little needle for a blood donation can really help so many people in so many areas, not just Berks County but the surrounding area as well. Some day, they never know, they might need a blood transfusion or a family member close to them. So a little bit can go a long way.”
McCarthy said just a little stick in the arm can help other people who need blood.
“The need is out there. There are traumas. There are people with terminal illnesses or just different medical conditions where they need something so simple that we all have that we can donate,” she said.
Leo Club Vice President Erika Romero, 17, a senior, after donating at the blood drive, said, “It’s a really good cause. I always wanted to do it. I feel like it’s something I should do. I mean, I have blood so why not. Other people need it. It makes me feel really good. And it makes me feel really nice that other people have the opportunity to use it when I have so much and some people don’t.”
Romero helps coordinate the blood drive at the high school.
“We set up posters. We set dates and times for people to sign up to give blood and we really encourage it. It’s just something we want all of the school to be a part of.”
The blood drive experience teaches her to really care about her community, she said.
“People really need this blood,” said Romero. “Volunteering is something different from donating blood. It’s a part of me and I want people to appreciate the fact that what you have is really important so giving it to other people who don’t have it is even more important.”
Romero described the Leo Club as a volunteer and leadership opportunity experience in the high school. Much of their service projects are aimed to help people in the community, such as helping the Salvation Army, helping at elementary schools, creating a float for King Frost Parade, helping with Iron Chef, to name a few things.
“We do stuff in the community to help bring everybody together and make it a better place,” said Romero.
“And it’s fun and helpful at the same time,” added McCathy, to which Romero agreed.
Another benefit for students is that the club activities help the members complete their required high school community service hours, said Romero.
Senior Dillon Hamilton, 17, feels good about donating blood.
“I feel like I can help people and blood is always needed,” said Hamilton. “If you’re scared (about donating) don’t worry about it because it’s not that big of a deal and they can help you work through it.”
Hamburg High School Senior Class President Jacob Barr, 17, said the blood mobile being at the high school is a great opportunity for students to show their support for the community and donate blood.
“I’m committed to the community and donating helps our community and it’s something I like to do,” said Barr.
When asked what he would say to the community, Barr said, “Help out your community more. It benefits you and your community. It just helps all around.”
For those interested in donating blood, visit giveapint.org to find where the next blood drive will be located. Or visit the Miller-Keystone Blood Center in Bethlehem or at their Reading site near the Reading Airport.