Holy Cross High School in Flushing kicked off their annual “Spirit Week” on Monday, April 27 with a Blood Drive that collected 117 much-needed pints of whole blood for the New York Blood Center.
According to spokesperson Gail Sicoli, this is the 22nd year that the Catholic high school, located at 26-20 Francis Lewis Boulevard, has held a Blood Drive and the third year that science teacher Daniel Kani has coordinated.
Kani had four students who helped to organize and promote the drive, as part of the service hours required by the school. Seniors Brian Tierney, Kyle Bossio, Saad Khamisa and Omohe Uwa all said they took their responsibilities to the drive seriously.
“It’s a good cause,” Tierney explained, when asked why he volunteered. After learning that most adults have between eight to 10 pints of blood, Uwa pointed out, “Lots of people need blood, and I have plenty of pints to spare. Even though my service hours are completed for the year, I still wanted to do this.”
There’s always a need for whole blood donations, as well as for platelets, a blood component that healthy people can donate far more frequently than whole blood, according to experts. Almost any healthy person who weighs over 110 pounds can donate, they say.
Flushing residents who want to give the gift of life can do so soon at the following locations:
• On Monday, May 11 from 4:15 to 9:45 p.m. at Young Israel of Queens Valley, 144-55 77th Avenue in Flushing.
• On Thursday, May 14 from 2 to 7:30 p.m. at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 150-05 12th Avenue in Whitestone.
• On Thursday, May 14 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 196-10 Northern Boulevard in Flushing.
Call the New York Blood Center at 800-933-2566 for more information.
The assistants from the Blood Center were very much impressed with the students. “This is the best group of student volunteers I’ve ever seen,” commented Fred Wayne, one of the assistants at the Holy Cross Blood Drive. “What a nice bunch of kids.”
Photo Courtesy Holy Cross High School
Holy Cross High School sophomore Nelson Perez joined students, faculty, staff and parents who donated at the Flushing school’s recent “Spirit Week” Blood Drive.
