WANTING TO HELP — Gage Hennis, left, a junior enrolled in the health technologies program at the Jefferson County Vocational School, donated blood during the school’s Feb. 18 drive. This was the second blood drive of the year at JVS. Rescheduled due to inclement weather in January, the drive resulted in 44 viable units to help save lives. American Red Cross medical staff member Jill Ujcich assisted Hennis with the collection. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — Donors turned out at the Jefferson County Vocational School Feb 18 to give the gift of life.

The school’s health technologies program teamed up once again with the American Red Cross to help boost a depleting blood supply. The school collected 44 viable units during its second drive of the year, which was held due to a postponement caused by inclement weather in January. The JVS will hold one more blood drive this school year.

Despite the change in date, a steady stream of contributors — students and community walk-ins — passed through the doors into the health technologies lab to roll up their sleeves and give.

Instructor Tammy Sismondo said approximately 50 people attended the event to contribute throughout the day. Many of the students were already registered for the January event and carried over to the latest campaign. Sismondo praised the Red Cross medical personnel who worked diligently on the blood collection.

“We had 42 people signed up and about eight walk-ins,” Sismondo stated. “We held the permission slips for student donors from January, and added anyone who wanted to give. The personnel had been short-staffed but worked really hard to get everyone taken care of. And the students were eager to give something back to help the community.”

Sismondo’s students gave their time volunteering at the registration table, assisting donors in need and leading the canteen to nourish people post-donation, while a few health tech students donated blood. She said the goal was to obtain at least 32 units, with that number eventually surpassed.

Dana Haynes, who organized the event with classmates Kimber Rogers and Olivia Rousseau, agreed the activity was a success.

“I think this blood drive went pretty well because we canceled the one in January,” she stated. “There were more than 40 students signed up and some outsiders, and the juniors and seniors in the program do a good job working together. I think it worked quite well and the American Red Cross did an amazing job.”

Senior health tech student Abby Kocher not only volunteered at the event, but gave of herself as a blood donor. She stated, “This was my third time donating. It can help save someone’s life.”

Gage Hennis, a junior in the health tech program, was another contributor who commented, “This is my second time. I’m a type O-negative and a universal donor, so I will be able to help more people who need it.”

Hennis recommended others donate blood to help save a life.

Connor Watts, a senior in the electrical trades program, was a first-time participant for a very selfless reason.

“I did it to help someone out if they needed blood,” Watts said of his reason for donating.

Health technologies students are eligible to receive an American Red Cross scholarship at graduation to further their studies. The collected blood is transported to a processing facility and utilized at hospitals for various reasons, including cancer treatment and surgeries. The final blood drive of the year has been scheduled for May 6.