Our Kids Saved Even More Lives This Year

School blood drives resulted in nearly 1,600 units donated, which means APS students and staff helped save nearly 4,800 lives.

May 22, 2012

Our kids saved even more lives this year.

Blood drives at APS high schools resulted in the donation of nearly 1,600 units of blood this school year, a 60 percent increase over last year. United Blood Services of New Mexico estimates that each unit of blood donated helps three people, which means APS students and staff saved nearly 4,800 lives.

Between 10 and 20 percent of all blood donations in New Mexico come from high school students, according to United Blood Services, which is why school blood drives are so critical. All but two APS high schools hosted at least one – and often two or three – blood drives this year, not only giving blood, but also donating time and effort to help others.

Eldorado High had the most successful blood drive in March with 106 donations. It also collected the most units of blood, 175, during the school year. Del Norte High was a close second with 172 donations. Atrisco Heritage Academy, which held its very first blood drive in October, was third with a total of 169 donations this year.

Employees at City Centre also pitched in, donating nearly 50 units of blood. Three elementary schools – S.Y. Jackson, Acoma and Petroglyph – and one middle school – Taylor – also hosted blood drives resulting in a total of nearly 125 units being donated.

If saving lives wasn’t incentive enough, United Blood Services, through its Heroes Squared Program, contributed $5 for every pint of blood donated by students and employees to the APS Education Foundation to support its Horizon Campaign.

May has been declared APS Hero Month by United Blood Services New Mexico to recognize the involvement of APS students, faculty and staff in the successful coordination of and participation in blood drives that are critical to the blood supply.

Donors who visit the United Blood Services Center at 1515 University Blvd. NE will have the opportunity to “Support the Potential" with interactive signage to be placed in the donor waiting and canteen areas.

The United Blood Services website will reflect the organization's support and gratitude for APS, and information will be posted about the partnership between APS and UBS on both organizations'  Facebook pages throughout the month.