Kyla Troup is one of the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School students who organized a blood drive as part of her Civics Project. (Photo Courtesy Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School)
ROCHESTER — Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School students recently rolled up their sleeves and gave back to the community by hosting the school’s first blood drive in nearly 10 years.
The blood drive, which was organized by seniors Kyla Troup and Angelina Fowler, surpassed its goal of 30 donations, helping address the region’s ongoing blood shortage.
Kyla, a Health Careers student from Carver, organized the drive as part of her civics project for U.S. Government classes.
“I wanted to do a blood drive for my civics project because many states, including Massachusetts, are in a blood shortage crisis,” said Kyla. “This is leading to where hospitals are suffering and can only use the donor blood they have for major issues like desperate transfusions, traumas, etc. I myself have health issues requiring the need for blood transfusions, so this is a personal issue, too.”
Once she helped form the idea, Kyla contacted the Red Cross of Massachusetts, which eagerly partnered with the school.
The student leaders said the purpose of the blood drive was to help address the region’s blood shortage while engaging students in community service.
They were supported by their advisor, history and English teacher Brandon Terrien, who first donated blood through a school-sponsored blood drive as a high schooler.
Superintendent Aaron Polansky praised the students’ leadership.
“Thanks to Kyla, Angelina and their peers, our community has come together to help those in critical need,” Superintendent Polansky said. “Their initiative shows how students can make a real difference, and we hope it inspires others to get involved in giving back.”
###
The blood drive surpassed its goal of 30 donations, helping address the region’s ongoing blood shortage. (Photo Courtesy Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School)
Discover more from John Guilfoil Public Relations
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.