The Chester High School Student Council's winter blood drive is set for Feb. 13.
The public is invited to participate and donate alongside CHS students throughout the drive, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the school's Juergens Gymnasium (also known as the "Girl's Gym"). Chester High School is located at 1901 Swanwick St., Chester.
Student council sponsors Adam Guebert and Sara Hammel encourage all students and members of the community to take part in this "lifesaving" event that is managed and administered by the American Red Cross. Guebert or Hammel can be reached at CHS by calling (618) 826-2302 or by email at adamguebert@chester139 or sarahammel@chester139.com. The CHS Student Council hosts Red Cross blood drives twice a year, once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester.
"We see this blood drive as an opportunity for our students to become more involved with our community," said Ryn Petrowske, student council president. "Besides we know that the units of blood will go toward helping people in need."
Ryn is a senior CHS student who volunteers each month to decorate the big bulletin board in the breezeway that connects the original CHS building to its newer additions. This month's theme is about the upcoming blood drive and states, "When people give ... people live!"
Pre-appointments for donors are strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. To schedule an advance appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: ChesterHS to schedule an appointment. CHS and Red Cross personnel also strongly encourage donors to streamline their donation experience by visiting RedCross.org/RapidPass to complete pre-donation reading and to answer health and history questions. This needs to take place on the morning of the donation.
Adam Guebert, CHS counselor, said, "If you complete a Rapid Pass it will save you lots of time and trouble. The entire donating experience usually takes approximately 45-60 minutes. The Rapid Pass helps to save you at least 15 minutes because you will already have answered health and personal questions online."
Light refreshments will be served to all donors.
Seniors Ashtyn Jany, student council publicity chairwoman, and Adeline Blechle, philanthropy chairwoman, said the goal is to get at least 65 usable units of blood.
The student council will host a brief assembly on Thursday to educate students on the requirements for donating blood and to have a permission form sent home for parental approval and signatures for students 16 or younger.
