Published: July 20, 2008 04:22 pm            

RED CROSS: Scholarships awarded, blood drive Monday

Two students at Niagara County high schools received scholarships from the American Red Cross Blood Services this year.

Brittany Casino of Wilson High School received a $300 scholarship. Casino has enrolled in the state University at Buffalo’s school of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.

Karen Dodge of Royalton-Hartland High School, received a $1,400 scholarship. Dodge was chosen at random among students at her school based on its frequency of donation and participation rate. Dodge will attend Northwood University in Michigan in the fall, majoring in entertainment and sports management.

The scholarship program was created by the Red Cross to encourage donations from high school students.

Blood drives at high schools and colleges contribute significant donations to the organization, and school vacation is part of the reason donations during summer months can drop from 10 percent to 15 percent.

This region currently has a three-day supply of all blood types on its shelves, but crucial blood types such as O-Negative, A-Negative and B-Negative are at supply levels of less than a day.

The desired supply level is five to seven days, according to a news release from the American Red Cross.

Blood donations are being accepted at Cristoforo Colombo Society, 2223 Pine Ave., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have identification and be in general good health.

Sixteen-year-olds can donate blood if they bring in a signed consent form from a parent. The consent forms can be found at www.donatebloodnow.org.



BLOOD DRIVE

• WHAT: Blood drive for the American Red Cross

• WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today

• WHERE: Cristoforo Colombo Society, 2223 Pine Ave.

• WHO: Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds and be in good general health.

• INFO: There will be free hot dogs, hamburgers and a Buffalo Bills ticket giveaway. To make an appointment, visit www.donatebloodnow.org or call 1 (800) GIVE LIFE. Walk-ins are welcome.

        

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