STUDENTS SEEK BLOOD DONORS — Members of the Steubenville High School NIKE Club, including senior Shaleecia Barbie, volunteer their time during the group’s blood drives for the American Red Cross. The drives are conducted three times a year, with the final blood collection scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11 in the school’s gymnasium. Walk-ins and registered donors are welcome to attend the event. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Members of the NIKE Club at Steubenville High School are finalizing plans for their last blood drive of the school year.

Students in the organization are seeking volunteers to attend the third of its three annual drives. Working in collaboration with the American Red Cross, donors planning to attend the drive have the option of registering online or simply walking in to the event, scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the school’s gymnasium.

The purpose of the drive is to assist the nonprofit agency in its mission to replenish the diminishing blood supply, according to club organizers. Throughout the past month, health officials have continuously asked area residents to give the gift that can save up to three lives through just one donation.

There are several factors which, when combined, have led to the nationwide plea for help.

In addition to January being National Blood Donor Month, the winter weather has caused cancelations at sites across the country.

Appointments have been canceled by individuals due to the ongoing cold and flu season. The Los Angeles wildfires have effected drives and contributions, as well.

Club adviser Katrina Morrow explained two previous collections were held in September and November, providing 60 units of blood for the Red Cross. The club’s latest goal is to obtain 25 units.

“This will be the end of my 11th year of hosting the blood drive,” Morrow said. “I believe this will be my 22nd blood drive. The young ladies of the NIKE Club will be running the registration table and canteen. We hope to have students from Eliza Kelley’s health informatics classes join us and talk to the Red Cross workers and donors about the benefits of donating blood.”

Morrow said walk-ins will be welcome on the day of the event, although she encourages potential donors to register in advance by using the link on the Red Cross website.

“The drive will be open to any healthy adult who is 16 years of age or older, on or before Feb. 11,” Morrow continued. “If the student is 16, they must have a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian.”

All donors must show a photo ID. Permission slips are available in room 401.

The Red Cross will be providing two scholarships for seniors who have donated during the school year, so long as more than 75 units have been collected in total, officials said.

Factors including COVID have devastated the nation’s blood supply, which has shown a decline of more than 25 percent since July 1, Red Cross officials remarked, citing the number of donors has dropped to its lowest point in 20 years.

“Blood is essential for accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and people undergoing cancer treatment,” officials stated. “Participants have the option of donating whole blood or completing the Power Red contribution that collects red cells, but returns most of the plasma and platelets back to the donor.”

Donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A-Negative, B-Negative or O blood. Participants can use the Rapid Pass and answer questions on the day of the drive to reduce their wait time, organizers said. To register online, go to redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation.