By Jennifer Macler ’23
Working with the American Red Cross, the Hearts for Action club has organized a blood drive to take place right here on campus Sunday, April 2.
This is a long-standing tradition at The Frederick Gunn School, honoring Margaret P. Addicks who served the Washington community and was a Gunn faculty member for over 45 years. Peg, as she was more commonly known, passed away in 2010, but her legacy lives on through this annual blood drive.
With the current pervading blood shortage crisis, Hearts for Action strongly recommends the FGS community to donate blood or volunteer at the drive. The club has been gathering information on the blood shortage and found that “every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood” and that “one donation has the potential to save up to three lives!” They hope the FGS community will contribute and support in whatever way they can to this ongoing and life-threatening national crisis.
To donate, the American Red Cross has certain requirements and recommendations. First, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Living or traveling internationally may also affect your eligibility, so be sure to check out The American Red Cross Travel Related Restrictions website if you’re unsure. Leading up to the day of the drive, Red Cross recommends hydrating, eating iron-rich foods, increasing vitamin C intake, and getting plenty of rest. Bringing an ID is required and, to make the process more efficient, donors can fill out the rapid pass before their appointment. If you’re not able to donate, there are still plenty of opportunities to help, so reach out to Miss Hart at hartj@frederickgunn.org to see what you can do.
The drive will be held in TPACC from 9 am to 2 pm, and both walk-ins and appointments are welcome (although appointments are preferred). Student donors must also receive parental permission in order to donate. The link to sign up for a donation appointment is attached at the end of this article, so be sure to sign up if you’re eligible!
Schedule an appointment here:
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GunnSchool
