Sophia Academy Hosts Blood Drive in Honor of Founder

The hosted its first blood drive Wednesday in honor of its founder and director, Marie Corrigan, who recently received a bone marrow transplant to treat lymphoma, the school said.

The American Red Cross collected 27 pints of blood from 41 donors, according to a school statement – enough to save 81 lives.

Corrigan founded the school in 1999 after she was unable to find suitable schooling options for her daughter. The school opened with 11 students. Enrollment soared to more than 100 within five years.

The academy is the only Christian private school in the area dedicated exclusively to students with learning disabilities. The school's curriculum reinforces Judeo-Christian values and is dedicated to "multi-sensory" teaching methods to effectively educate its students.