Union Catholic students and alum save lives with blood donations
Union Catholic High School partnered with New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) for a special blood drive on Friday, March 21, as the school surpassed 1,500 blood donations over the past 28 years.
Since the inception of Union Catholic’s blood drives with NJBS, students, staff, and the community have come together to contribute to the vital cause of saving lives. The school has become a beacon of hope, showing a commitment to helping those in need of blood transfusions.
To celebrate this accomplishment, NJBS presented Union Catholic with a certificate recognizing their contribution to the blood supply. It was a moment of pride for the school, as students, faculty, and staff reflected on the importance of community service and the impact that Union Catholic’s efforts have made over the years.
“The grand number of donations from individuals involved within the UC community reveals the passion and care embedded within the school’s values,” said senior Caroline Lemansky. “UC works effortlessly to positively influence and change the environment surrounding us.”
“It makes me really happy and thankful that I’m able to donate and help people I don’t even know,” added another Union Catholic senior, Isabella LaFerrera. “I’ve donated alongside several other students and even with alumni who drove to UC just to donate. I think that’s really special. It shows how much impact our school has, bringing former students back to save others.”
A critical link in the blood supply
High school blood drives are a critical part of the nation’s blood supply network. According to NJBS, nearly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need of blood include patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, and emergency trauma care. In recent years, however, blood shortages have become a growing concern. The problem was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a significant drop in high school blood donations. In the tri-state area, high school donations have fallen by almost 25%, resulting in 10,000 fewer donations annually.
With the community’s help, Union Catholic continues to fight against these shortages. The blood drive offered Union Catholic students, faculty, staff, and the whole community a chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.
“It only takes me an hour to do, and it helps save people’s lives,” Isabella LaFerrera said. “That’s crazy to me.”
Featured image: Union Catholic High School partners with New Jersey Blood Services for a special blood drive on Friday, March 21 (Photo courtesy Union Catholic High School)
