GIVING FOR A CAUSE — Steubenville High School junior Cooper Kirkpatrick contributed to the first of two blood drives hosted by the SHS NIKE Club in collaboration with the American Red Cross on Nov. 6. Students and adults from inside the school and around the community turned out to give blood, providing 19 units which could potentially save 42 lives. The next campaign is set for Feb. 10. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — School and community members responded to the call at Steubenville High School where the NIKE Club and American Red Cross conducted a bi-annual blood drive on Nov. 6.

Adviser Katrina Morrow said 29 donors attended the event, with 19 viable units collected to save numerous lives.

The NIKE Club has hosted blood drives for the past 11 years. The club attempts to hold three collections annually.

“We had a mixture of students and adult donors, although more students than adults donated this blood drive,” Morrow said. “Nineteen units were collected, which will save up to 42 lives.”

She added the result was lower than last fall’s blood drive, but another collection will be held on Feb. 10.

Morrow noted the importance of giving blood, saying it helps fill a vital need.

“Blood donations have been at an all-time low since COVID, so hospitals need to improve their blood supply,” she said. “There is a growing need for blood from African-American donors, so that it can help those who suffer from sickle-cell anemia and require transfusions regularly.”

NIKE Club members took charge of registration and the canteen, as well as assisting donors, while the Red Cross personnel oversaw the blood collection.

Contributors included first-time participants and regular donors. Yet, all agreed it was important to step up and lend a helping hand.

Bloomingdale resident Joseph Rozman has become a regular at local blood drives, saying he has given a total of 68 units and donated to blood banks from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas and at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Rozman said he has donated for years, becoming inspired by a relative who was battling cancer.

“I wanted to help,” he stated. “It’s very important and it helps other people.”

Gina Diorio of Steubenville rolled up her sleeves and said she has given 25 units at local events to date.

“I wanted to volunteer and always make it a priority to do that,” Diorio commented.

Junior Alexis Featherman said this was her first time donating, adding she has always wanted to help.

“We have an age restriction and you have to be 16,” Featherman explained. “I’ve always wanted to give but had to wait until then. I believe it’s very important because if people lose a lot of blood or are in need, they need to have blood to be safe.”

The blood was transported to hospitals in the Allegheny Valley region to help patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatment, organ transplants and other care.

In addition to helping save a life, donors received incentives for giving. Morrow said two graduating seniors who have donated may qualify for scholarships if enough units are collected.

A $10 e-gift card was offered to those able to complete a full donation.