Valley High students, staff roll up sleeves for student-run blood drive

Students and staff at Valley High School stepped up Monday to help meet the need for blood, even if some of them were not able to go through with it.

Senior Brooke Alcorn Ferry, 17, said some of her classmates who volunteered to donate during the blood drive she organized were not able to because they were not tall enough, did not weigh enough or had recent tattoos.

Ferry herself wasn’t able to give because of her size.

With an interest in becoming a phlebotomist, Ferry organized the blood drive as part of the community service hours she needs to graduate. She got to see phlebotomists with the American Red Cross at work as they took donations in the high school library.

“It’s really interesting to see it all set up,” she said. “I’m glad I got the opportunity to organize this with all the help I got.”

Ferry said Lori Ervin, the district’s gifted program coordinator and sponsor of the Interact Club, was a big help. The club helps students do community service.

“She’s the one who encouraged me to take this on in the first place,” Ferry said.

Adam Sharick, a security guard at H.D. Berkey Elementary School from Lower Burrell, was among the first to donate. It was only his second time giving blood. A veteran, Sharick served in the Marine Corps.

“Honestly, I have buddies who are around today because they were able to get blood,” he said.

Those signed up had a choice of donating a pint of whole blood, or having their red blood cells separated and the rest returned to them.

Giving only red blood cells takes more time, but it’s what high school algebra teacher Josh Tysk chose to do because he had done it before.

The Red Cross calls it a “Power Red Donation,” through which a donor can give two units of red blood cells during one donation. The plasma and platelets are returned.

“Blood is something people are in need of,” Tysk said. “It’s important for teachers and staff members to support the students who are supporting our community by organizing events like this.”

Angela Soles Caruso, a seventh grade learning support teacher at the high school, said her father always gave blood and stressed the importance of donating.

“I am so impressed,” she said of the student effort. “They are that involved and so heartfelt about it.”

Saying the nation is in a blood crisis, the Red Cross is pleading for all eligible donors to make an appointment to give.

For information on giving blood, including eligibility, and finding a nearby blood drive, visit the American Red Cross website, redcrossblood.org.