STUDENT DONATES — Last year, American Red Cross medical personnel, including Amy Hartline, right, collected blood from donors attending one of the school’s three drives, hosted by the SHS NIKE Club. Steubenville High School student Aubrey Slussar was among those who contributed. The school will hold its next drive on Thursday, where 41 participants have already signed up to donate. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — The NIKE Club organization at Steubenville High School is teaming up with officials at the American Red Cross for an important cause that could potentially save dozens of lives.

Katrina Morrow is the club adviser and stated students will host the first of two scheduled blood drives on Thursday.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the new gymnasium at the high school.

Morrow said the club has already reached its registration goal of 41 donors, which means that walk-ins will not be accepted at this particular drive. The goal is to obtain 27 units of blood, she noted.

“This is the 11th year of the NIKE Club hosting the drive,” Morrow continued. “Last school year, 95 units were collected from three blood drives.”

Six NIKE Club members will volunteer at the registration table and the canteen area where they will assist donors. Red Cross medical personnel will conduct the collection of blood.

The purpose of the drive is to allow healthy students and adults help their community through giving blood for another.

Participants have the option of donating whole blood or completing the Power Red method, which collects red cells and then returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor.

Donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A-Negative, B-Negative or O blood.

More than 16 million blood components are transfused each year, according to officials.

Those donating can use the Rapid Pass on the day of the drive, answering questions in order to reduce their wait time.

Morrow stated the blood is transported to hospitals in the Allegheny Valley.

“The blood donated is used all around the country,” she explained. “Donors will be able to help out those who need blood due to multiple health conditions, such as sickle-cell disease, blood transfusions and organ transplants.”

And there are other benefits, as well, according to Morrow, who said two graduating seniors may qualify for a Red Cross scholarship because they have donated blood.

The scholarship qualification includes if there are enough units of blood collected. Those contributing receive a $10 e-gift card for completing a donation. The school’s next drive will take place on Feb. 10.