Pint Size Heroes

By Ashley August

Last week, Saint Xavier’s American Red Cross Club traveled to Queen of Martyrs, a local elementary school, to give a presentation about Halloween safety tips and the upcoming blood drive to the second-, third-, and fourth-graders.

This program was called “Pint Size Heroes” because it encouraged students to explain what they learned at home to encourage others to help the cause. Now the students can better understand what their parents are doing when they donate blood and why sick people need their help. This will also hopefully encourage them to donate blood when they are old enough.

Personally, I really enjoyed the trip. It was a great opportunity to educate students about blood drives and to help them stay safe this Halloween. The students did a wonderful job coming up with important safety rules for Halloween. My favorite part was answering their questions about Halloween and the blood drive. Many of the kids didn’t know what a blood drive was. After we explained the concept, they showed a great deal of interest in the process and in how blood could help someone.

Although you have to be at least 16-years-old to donate blood, we urged the students to tell their parents, older siblings, neighbors, family friends and anyone else they could think of because one donation can save three lives. This was a great opportunity for the American Red Cross Club to extend its programs to the community and we hope that we will continue be able to do so.

Once again the blood drive is from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Student Lounge. Walk-ins are accepted but if you don’t want to wait in line you can make an appointment at http://www2.givebloodgivelife.org/, and then click on "donate blood" and enter 60655 for the zip code. Our drive should come up and then you can sign up for a time.

Ashley August is a sophomore education major from LaGrange Park. She is member of the volleyball team and the Student Athletic Committee. Consideration for the student bloggers is provided by Saint Xavier University.