By Jack Reaney ASSOCIATE EDITOR
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19, dozens of “heroes” can donate blood through a student-led event with American Red Cross at Lone Peak High School.
According to a Jan. 31 Red Cross press release, “Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. They don’t wear capes or special suits, and their badge of honor is the bandage that shows they gave the gift of life. The community is invited to become a hometown hero and answer the call of patients in need by donating blood.”
Anyone wishing to register or learn more can visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). A blood donor card or driver’s license, or two other forms of identification will be required at check-in, and appointments are strongly encouraged—online registration code is “BIGSKYSCHOOL” for this event.
Lone Peak senior Logan Barker, secretary of Lone Peak High School’s student council, stepped up to facilitate the event with Red Cross. LPHS has hosted the blood drive for more than 10 years.
“There’s a national blood shortage in the U.S. right now, and over 38,000 [blood products] are needed every day in the U.S. Which is a pretty big number, and there’s no substitute for blood when people need it,” Barker told EBS in a phone call. According to the Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds.
Barker hopes for 35 people to give blood on Feb. 19, and about 20 donors have already scheduled appointments. She’s been advertising to students—16- and 17-year-olds can donate with parental consent—and through her father’s local network in the Big Sky Fire Department and Big Sky Ski Patrol. She plans to give blood either through this blood drive or the separate drive on Feb. 23 at Big Sky Medical Center.
“We would love more of course, but only [another] 15 to hit our goal,” Barker said.
Appointments are recommended. Walk-ins may be accepted but should expect longer wait times. Barker reminds donors to bring photo identification.
She thanked Thomas Hensley from American Red Cross, and Lone Peak High School Principal Marlo Mitchem for helping continue the LPHS blood drive tradition.
