On Friday, March 13th, Interact Club and the Future Medical Professionals Club provided an amazing opportunity to give back to the community. During the school day, from 7:30 to 12:30, volunteers from both Braintree High and Red Cross ran a blood drive in the gymnasium.
The two clubs had the idea to let students give back during the school day. Any student over 16 who had a study hall for the first four blocks of the day could come by the gym and donate blood. One such donor was Ivan Petrov.
“I believe in medicine, in research, and just kind of helping people by doing these easy small acts,” shares Petrov while waiting to donate blood during first period.
Volunteers from Interact and FMP signed the donors in and provided snacks and water afterwards to thank them for their service.
“I think it’s important to help out and support people while they donate blood because it can be scary,” says volunteer Gwen Fratolillo.
Although donating blood may be difficult for the squeamish, Interact Club believes the cost is worth it to give back to their community, and once one starts they can continue that generosity for years.
“Giving blood is such a good thing to do, it’s a lifelong commitment. It’s important to be able to give back, which is what Interact Club is all about. Volunteering, giving back, helping others, that’s what giving blood does. There’s so many people in need of blood,” Interact advisor Ms. Lavoie states.
Mr. DiMilla, science department head and FMP advisor, has had experience with blood drives in the past and learned about their value and ease.
“I used to work at a private school that did this and it was a big event on campus, though we haven’t done it at Braintree in a while. It doesn’t take up a lot of your time and it’s something you can do in a serial fashion.”
He thought it was important teenagers at BHS knew that they had an opportunity to help their community in a meaningful way.
“Even as a young individual you can start to pay it forward. Every 56 days you can donate blood.”
The message seemed to stick with students at BHS. After his first experience giving blood, Ivan Petrov would be thrilled to do it again.
“I will do it in the future for sure, I feel like I have enough blood to give.”