Student Gov Preps for Second Blood Drive of the Year

by Deborah Spencer, SSLI ‘14

Two to three times each school year, the school holds a blood drive run by the New York Blood Center. This past fall, the blood drive was held as usual. Unfortunately, however, many people were denied eligibility to give. For the upcoming drive, on Tuesday, March 12, the school needs more participation than usual in order to get to its yearly goal.

Members of the senior class are eagerly awaiting the chance to donate blood next Tuesday. (H. Linsenbaum)

Director of Student Life Michael Hirsch commented, “We’re off to a slow start, but I got the first official application today. We want at least 60 people registered."

In order to get to this intended goal, the Student Government has had meetings to strategize how to get people to register. First, the students met with the school’s liaison for the Long Island Blood Services. The student government began spreading the word about the drive as usual by making a Facebook event. The members decided to raise more awareness by posting facts about blood donation on the Student Government Facebook page. They also placed a video about donations in the front lobby.

Hirsch said, “Intimidation is understandable. Hopefully, education like the facts and video will alleviate fears and allow more people to have the reward of saving three lives.”

Some students and teachers are preparing to give, as they usually do. Spanish Teacher Ms. Christina Lavin said, “I will definitely give.”

Junior Sammi Jo Albucker commented, “I’ve donated since I’ve been eligible. It’s a great gift that we can give if we are healthy enough. We are very lucky and fortunate, and others are not as lucky. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to share the health.”

Senior Gregory Slade agreed, “It’s truly a mitzvah. It’s such little pain to save so many people.”

Donors must be 16 and over and meet certain health and weight requirements. Since the eligible student and teacher body is small, obtaining the goal depends upon the participation of others within the community. An idea is to get the broader Williston Park community involved. Student Government President Max Hirsch said, “I’m planning on contacting Saint Aidan to see if parents and teachers can come.” While Hirsch did not get a response from the neighboring school in the fall, he is hopeful that he can get more people involved this time.

Schechter parents and alumni are encouraged to give as well. Alumnus and past Student Body President Daniel Reiss of the Class of 2011 commented, “A lot of people see, or claim to see, the blood drive as a good excuse to leave class, but I think in practice it is much more altruistic than that. It's something that really helps foster the well-known sense of community at Schechter. It's something that underclass students look forward to doing, and something seniors and juniors are often doing for the first time." Reiss added, "In my experiences, students were often thrilled to donate blood, and teachers and peers were equally thrilled to see their bandaged arms. It's not a coincidence that we have won awards for our blood drives in the past. The participation rate stems from the ideals Schechter puts forth and the general enthusiasm of the student body towards the event. There is certainly a competitive motivation behind the blood drive. We are not competing against other schools or each other, but the Schechter community competes against our own capabilities.”

Deborah Spencer is a writer for Paw Print Now, and has been publishing articles on the site since October 2012. Additionally, Deborah is the Student Life Editor for SSLI’s monthly publication, Paw Print. Deborah is currently in her senior year at the Schechter School of Long Island, and can be reached at the following email: dspencer14@ssdsnassau.org