Manchester Students Put Their Hearts In Blood Drives

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township High School students and staff focused on matters of the heart in a different way on Valentine's Day, hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross.

The blood donation drive aims to help replenish blood supplies needed to help in a variety of situations with people who need blood due to accidents, illnesses or other situations.

The blood drive Wednesday is the second of three American Red Cross blood drives held each year at Manchester Township High School and organized by students and staff.

Students who are 17 or older are eligible to donate blood.

The blood drive initiative was started by Dawn Sullivan, a now-retired teacher from the high school.

"Since retiring, Dawn returns each year to support the students and staff as they continue her legacy," district officials said.

Brianna McKiernan and Vicki Trapp, physical education teachers at the high school, coordinate the drives with other volunteers from the high school, helping to make each initiative successful.

In addition to helping replenish blood supplies for the community, the partnership between the high school and the local chapter of the American Red Cross opens up scholarship opportunities for students who participate on the MTHS Blood Drive committee.

The greater the number of pints of blood collected, the larger the amount of American Red Cross scholarship can be, district officials said.

In addition, the American Red Cross has certified the high school's senior physical education teachers as American Red Cross instructors, which allows them to certify interested students in CPR, First Aid, and AED skills at a discounted cost, the district said.