Final blood drive at JVS helps support community needs

The turnout was smaller during the final blood drive at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, but organizers said every donation can make a difference in people’s lives.

Students, staff and area residents contributed during the last of the triannual campaigns in the health technologies lab May 6, with more than 30 registered donors and walk-ins participating. Health tech seniors Dana Haynes, Chelsea Channels and Olivia Brousseau said numbers were down, but traffic was relatively steady throughout the day and every donation makes a difference.

“It’s gone smoothly,” Haynes said. “We had 26 students sign up plus eight outsiders and a few walk-ins. It’s a great experience to see the community and school coming together for such a great cause.”

She cited a lack of available students because of CPR training, end-of-school exams, graduation practice at the home schools and people attending the SkillsUSA state competition in Columbus. Despite the decrease, organizers said the drive still made an impact because one pint can help up to three people.

“Every bit can definitely help, even if a lot of people don’t show up,” Channels said. “It’s still a good experience to get people to donate. This is our final blood drive [as seniors] and it’s bittersweet. I’ll miss it.”

“I’ll miss working with friends,” Brousseau said. “I learned a lot and met people, but working on it taught us how to organize it. It is pretty much student-led.”

Students and residents who donated said they were glad to help others in need.

“This is my third time,” said Gage Hennis, a junior in the health tech program. “I’m a universal donor and everyone needs blood, so I donate. It can go to anybody who needs blood at any time, such as someone who needs chemo or a transfusion.”

Honorae Dowdell, a senior in the health tech program, said she has donated eight times between drives at the JVS and her home school at Buckeye Local.

“I like how it makes a difference in everyone else’s life,” Dowdell said. “They might need it someday.”

Some donors said they were encouraged or inspired to give by family members or personal experiences.

“My mom always encouraged me to do it because she’s a nurse,” said Jett Costa, a junior in the electrical trades program at JVS.

“Both of my parents needed a blood transfusion recently, but I was donating before they needed it,” said Wintersville resident Kim Walters, who has donated blood 45 times over the past 27 years. “I think it’s extremely important because you never know when you or a loved one will need it.”

“I donated because my daughter, Riley, is a junior in the health tech program and I wanted to help,” Wintersville resident Stacy Hildreth said.

Tammy Sismondo, health tech instructor, said the event also served as a learning experience for students, who gained knowledge about everything from organization to teamwork.

“I think the students do a great job and the blood drive is a great way to strengthen their soft skills in a real-life situation,” Sismondo said. “The students apply themselves and they really work to make a difference.”

The JVS has hosted blood drives annually, but the events were temporarily halted during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning in 2022. Health tech students who participate are also eligible to receive American Red Cross scholarships.