Next drive in the area is Feb. 11

RUMFORD — The Mountain Valley High School Student Council recently sponsored a Red Cross blood drive. Many students, staff and community members rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life to an unknown victim of accident or illness.

For some students, it was a first-time donation. They overcame fears of needles to feel the joy of helping another person.

First-time donor Zach Zinck, a junior, described the experience as “painless, fast and easy.”

He said his motivation was, “I decided to make a difference. By giving a small part of me, it can mean a lot for someone else.”

Senior Teddy McLaughlin also donated for the first time. He added, “Great people are there to help.”

With a smile, junior J.T. Greene decided to donate for the first time “to change the world one pint of blood at a time.”

He added, “I love the snacks.”

After a blood donation, each donor recovers for about 10 to 15 minutes at the refreshment area. They are encouraged to have a drink and snack, including a wide range of cookies, candy and dried fruit.

Most students continue to donate after their first experience.

Senior Sarah Klein continues to donate because, “I enjoy knowing I’m saving someone’s life.”

She urges others to continue donating. “It’s a great feeling to know you are helping someone.”

Junior Josh Maillet found out after his first donation that his blood is special. He has O negative blood.

According to the Red Cross website, “Type O negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply. Only 7 percent of people in the U.S. have O negative blood type.”

Maillet explained his motivation, “I continue to donate not only because I have O negative but because it’s such a simple process and takes so little time.”

Community member Marie Charleston, of Rumford, is a regular donor. She said, “I am O negative – a universal donor so there’s great need. The gift of blood is priceless and it helps so many people. This something I can do to help humanity.”

Sylvia Wendt, also from Rumford, advises others to donate. “It is so easy and not scary. The people here make us feel very comfortable and sometimes you see old friends.”

It is quite common to run into friends during a blood drive. A donor can give whole blood every 56 days so the Red Cross schedules blood drives in the area every other month. Frequent donors often socialize as they wait.

Some donors have first-hand experience with the necessity of having a safe supply of blood.

Lorraine Tanguay of Albany Township explained, “My dad got a large number of transfusions after he was hit by a car so I have tried to give back since then.”

Regardless of the motivation, blood donors save lives each day. The Red Cross estimates that someone needs blood every two seconds.

The next blood drive in the area is Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the American Legion on Congress Street. Consider giving and call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) for an appointment.