Aware to Care 2nd Annual American Red Cross Blood Drive

The Aware to Care hosted their second annual American Red Cross Blood Drive on Friday, March 24th from 2 to 7 p.m. at King Philip Regional High School, 201 Franklin St., Wrentham.

The Aware to Care hosted their second blood drive in order to benefit their campaign as they raise awareness of the childhood cancer neuroblastoma. As partner Jason Florio is a neuroblastoma survivor himself the campaign has become extremely personally as he shares his own story to others. The main purpose behind the blood drives was to inform the community how children in treatment must endure countless blood transfusion each day. With blood supply being low recently, the Aware to Care team knew hosting a blood drive was vital for those in need.

Out of 58 people who presented at the blood drive only 11 were not able to donate to due a number of factors. The team was able to collect 41 pints of whole red blood and additional 10 units of red cells from those who performed a Power Red Cell procedure. In total, 51 units of live saving blood was collected that day.

With each unit of blood helping three patients in need of a blood transfusion, 153 lives have been potentially saved through the efforts of the Aware to Care team and the donors themselves. Combining an additional 39 units of blood collected during the November hosted by the Aware to Care team the group of students helped to save 270 potential lives have been saved!

The Aware to Care team will continue their efforts in helping in the community alongside the Wrentham Police Department as they hold their 2nd Annual Blood drive in Honor of Lt. George LaBonte It will be taking place in the Grand Ballroom of Lake Peal on Wednesday, July 5th between the hours of 1:30pm and 7pm.

Thank you to all the donors and volunteers who came out to support; this would not be possible without your help!

Also a big thank you to Doreen Greene, account manager at the American Red Cross, who has helped us to make this blood drive as successful as it was!