Lucerne Valley High School students and staff showed their heart by rolling up their sleeves for a LifeStream Blood Bank donation on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Altogether 55 donors donated 46 pints of blood.
The Mustangs who stepped up to donate blood helped everyone as 1 in 4 U.S. residents will require transfused blood at least once in their lifetime.
“Blood donation is one of the most significant contributions that a person can make toward our society,” said Lucerne Valley Middle High School principal Nate Lambdin. “Our kids, as well as staff members, generously and graciously donated 46 pints of blood.”
This is the second year that the Lucerne Valley High School community participated in the blood donation drive.
According to LifeStream, whose High Desert blood bank is based in Victorville, blood donations every year help save countless lives and help recipients battle otherwise debilitating diseases such as cancer. The following is from LifeStream:
• Every 2 seconds someone needs blood.
• 1 in 7 hospital patients needs blood.
• Less than 10% of the population eligible to donate blood actually does so.
• One donation can help multiple patients. Following collection, red blood cells, plasma and platelets are separated, stored and distributed separately.
• Blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors.
• Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.
• Platelets are especially in need by cancer patients and must be used within 5 days of collection. New donations are continuously in need.
• All blood types are needed to help patients; the need for type O negative is especially acute. Only 7% of U.S. residents have “universal” blood.
• 1 in 7 hospital patients needs blood.
• Less than 10% of the population eligible to donate blood actually does so.
• One donation can help multiple patients. Following collection, red blood cells, plasma and platelets are separated, stored and distributed separately.
• Blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors.
• Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.
• Platelets are especially in need by cancer patients and must be used within 5 days of collection. New donations are continuously in need.
• All blood types are needed to help patients; the need for type O negative is especially acute. Only 7% of U.S. residents have “universal” blood.
Donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and be at least 15 years old. (All 15- and 16-year-olds require parental consent prior to donating.)
For more information on LifeStream Blood Bank donations, call (760) 843-9700.
PHOTOS:
TOP: Lucerne Valley student Tommy Orozco smiles as he donates blood on Tuesday when the LifeStream Blood Bank vehicle visited the high school gymnasium.
MIDDLE: Teacher Kelli Papiernik donates blood during the blood drive. Altogether 55 students and staff members donated 46 pints of blood.
BOTTOM: After donating blood, donors got their choice of goodies to help replenish their iron. This student trio helped out during the blood drive.
MIDDLE: Teacher Kelli Papiernik donates blood during the blood drive. Altogether 55 students and staff members donated 46 pints of blood.
BOTTOM: After donating blood, donors got their choice of goodies to help replenish their iron. This student trio helped out during the blood drive.
Photos courtesy Assistant Principal Kelly Boeing