BHS Blood Drive Program Named Best in Illinois

Editor's Note: The following is a release from the Valley View School District.

blood drives secured more blood last year than any other high school blood drive programs in the state, according to LifeSource Blood Centers.

Sponsored by the in conjunction with the school’s unit, three blood drives are held throughout the school year.

BHS blood drives during the past school year accounted for 764 units of blood. Each unit can save up to three lives. That means BHS students along with members of the community potentially saved up to 2,292 lives in 2010-11.

“This speaks volumes not only for what our students, community and staff can do to help those in need, but it also demonstrates the caring nature of our student population and the work ethic of the kids involved in the National Honor Society and in the ROTC’s Kitty Hawk Society,” said NHS sponsor Andrea Heil.

In addition, the blood drives helped raise $9,000 for NHS and ROTC for the groups’ philanthropic and scholarship efforts.

The National Honor Society runs the school’s fall drive, both groups run the winter drive and the spring drive is run by ROTC. NHS sponsors are Andrea Heil and Mariann Rupsis. Major Vince Rukstalis heads up ROTC and Amara Creighton was blood drive student coordinator for 2010-2011.

The next blood drive will be 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 23 in the BHS wrestling room. Community members or staff from buildings other than BHS are welcome to make an appointment by calling 630-679-3470 or emailing heilan@vvsd.org.