The Red Cross recently hosted its March blood drive in the Revere auxiliary gym to collect donations for patients in need of blood transfusions.

Revere staff member Kathleen Shisler described her role in making sure the event runs smoothly.

“I contact Lisa Fritz, our blood drive coordinator from Cleveland, get the dates approved by the principal and other advisors about months ahead of time; order Buddy [the mascot outfit] for marketing; get our student leaders ready for the event – hang posters and ask the students to make announcements daily,” Shisler said.

Shisler expressed her passion for helping people, explaining that she believes in the mission of Red Cross, to provide disaster relief assistance as they respond to emergencies all over the world.

“I have found it rewarding to encourage students to donate [to] or volunteer [for] a meaningful organization that helps others. Our student leaders have benefited by receiving college scholarships dollars for our school participating in numerous blood drives per year and making our goals. Last year the Red Cross awarded Revere High School with seven hundred and fifty dollars in scholarships,” Shisler said.

Shisler explained why some students are hesitant in donating blood. The main concerns for students are specifically academic and sports based, but a fear of needles ranks at the top.

“I know that many students would like to give but time is an issue – we are always trying to find the best dates to hold our drives when the most students are available, but it doesn’t always work out,” Shisler said.

Emily Parish is the student council chairperson for the blood drives. She became chairperson through volunteering within student council as a sophomore. She explained her role as chairperson.

“I check donors in and out, tell them what to read before they donate and a lot of new donors ask what it is like, so I tell them. I also keep an eye on the students who have just donated, bring them a snack and juice, and warn the Red Cross staff if they do not feel or look good,” Parish said.

Parish has donated blood five times in the past, with the exception of the March drive due to sickness. Parish further spoke about the importance of blood drives.

“I think people underestimate the amount of patients who need blood transfusions every day, and these transfusions can be the difference between life and death. I just feel like holding blood drives and donating blood is the least we can do to try and make a difference in these people’s lives, . . . I would encourage everyone who can tolerate needles and blood to try donating at least once to see if it is something they can do, because it really does make a difference to people in need, and it doesn’t hurt that bad.” Parish said.

First time donor Kate Fulton signed up for the drive as soon as she turned sixteen years old. Fulton described her first experience at the March blood drive.

“The best part of donating was how happy I felt when I left. The only bad part was that it takes a bit of time,” Fulton said.

To donate blood students must be at least seventeen years old or sixteen years old with a parental consent form. Students also must weigh at least 110 pounds and have note donated blood in the last 56 days. Lastly, students must provide Identification and proof of age via student ID or driver’s license. For more information visit www.redcrossblood.org.