Kettering students set record during March blood drive

The contributions of the Fairmont Career Tech Center’s Allied Health student volunteers are one reason why Fairmont’s blood drives are successful. CONTRIBUTED

The contributions of the Fairmont Career Tech Center’s Allied Health student volunteers are one reason why Fairmont’s blood drives are successful. CONTRIBUTED

Fairmont Career Tech Center Allied Health student volunteers achieved a record during the school’s March blood drive.

The blood drive, held March 8 in Trent Arena, was the biggest high school blood drive for the school year among the 116 high schools in the Community Blood Center’s (CBC) 15-county service area.

Fairmont totaled 223 donors, including 91 first-time donors, and 162 donations for 103 percent of the collection goal.

“This is our second time this year, and a lot of us donate,” said Allied Health student Ashlyn Coleman. “It’s fun to be on the other end, volunteering and donating. Today is my fifth donation. I feel like giving blood is important to me. I started donating on my 16th birthday.”

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Donor loyalty runs deep at Fairmont, where students commonly earn the CBC Red Cord for registering to donate at least three times before graduating.

Senior Theresa Ferdiny made her fourth lifetime donation this month.

“I like helping people,” Ferdiny said. “I think it’s very cool to help someone without really knowing them.”

Fairmont began the new school year as CBC’s regional champion in student blood drive participation and donor loyalty.

The school earned the High Leadership grant for “Most Donors” for the second consecutive year and the “Red Cord Excellence” grant for the third consecutive year.

“My dad always donated,” said senior Zachery Davidson, who qualified for the Red Cord with his third donation. “I like helping. I’m going to continue donating.”

Sophomore Gabe Davis is also a proud blood donor.

“I always love to lend a hand for other people,” Davis said. “I think about how my blood can save other people’s lives, and it makes me happy.”

Fairmont blood drives are coordinated by Student Activities coordinator Corey Miller and assistant coordinator Erica Rogers. The school hosts a blood drive in the spring and fall.

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