Abraxas Students Exceed Expectations at Blood Drive

Members of the community, led by Abraxas High School students, collected 28 pints of blood Tuesday in an effort to "Make a Difference."

The blood drive, which students hope will become an annual effort, supports a Poway Unified School District program that encourages students to participate in the community. It also qualifies the school to compete in the Blood Banks' High School Challenge that rewards between $500 to $2,500 to local schools who donate the most blood.

Led by the school's Student Council, the blood drive exceeded the students' goal of 25 pints of blood.

"It's great to see the students participate in this blood drive," said Abraxas High Principal Rudy Casiato. "It's teaching them civic responsibility, and we hope to make it more often."

Sue Forster from the San Diego Blood Bank said it was exciting to see community members, staff, teachers and students as young as 16 donate blood in the school's first drive.

Forster, who serves as the marketing manager, said nearly 25 percent of blood at the Blood Bank is gained through schools hosting drives.

"The blood drive educates kids on how they can make an impact," she said.

The knowledge of the importance of the drive wasn't limited to adults, however.

Timothy Laplante, a senior, donated for the second time at the blood drive and said he just wanted to help others.

"I think it's nice to help people and it's important to me to give back to the community," he said.

Senior Lorraine Liwanag couldn't donate blood, but she participated by assisting the staff in helping students. She said she chose to take part in the drive because, "There are a lot of people who need blood but don't have access to it," she said. "So, it's really important for me to be here."

Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood, according to the American Red Cross. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. Forster said that although 37 percent of the entire population qualify to donate blood, only 5 percent do.

"Most people don't take the time to donate for whatever reason," Forster said. "I'm just excited to see Abraxas be involved."