by Brett M.
Service Board hosted its Fall Blood Drive on October 9 in our Athletic Lobby, with the help of a local Red Cross team and 20 student volunteers. 30 viable units of blood, of which three were deferred, and one was unusable, were donated which means they could help save up to 90 lives.
Dr. Stegemiller, a 5-year contributor, said, “Donating blood is a good thing to do. Taking 15 minutes out of your day can make a huge difference to the people who are in need.” Stegemiller has donated approximately 13 units of blood, single-handedly helping save the lives of 39 people.
Now in its 35th year, Academy’s blood drive has evolved from a faculty-led event into a student-run Service Board event, increasing from once a year to three times annually. The January drive remains a highlight, aligning with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of compassion and action.
Even students who couldn’t donate found ways to give back and helped throughout the day, showing that Service is for everyone.
Academy students continue to stand out in their compassion, contributing to a strong turnout. Nearby schools like Gahanna and New Albany also host drives, but CA’s commitment runs deep, with an annual goal of over 100 pints.
A big thanks to The Red Cross and Service Board for providing food and support for each donor. Every donation takes just 15–25 minutes but has a massive impact.
To donate next time, you must be at least 16 years old and have parental consent if under 18, meet height and weight requirements and be in good health. If you’re not eligible you can volunteer through MobileServe and earn in school service hours.
Ms. Bening, the Service Board’s faculty leader, says, “People should donate even though it’s a little painful. Doing so is a really good habit to develop. It doesn’t take much time and can help many people. Receiving blood is a gift that is hard to come across.” Her words remind us that doing small gestures can have major impacts, and it is well worth taking a few minutes out of your day to help those in need.
One last thank you to everyone who participated, as ourcommunity looks forward to breaking records at the January Drive!
Even students who couldn’t donate found ways to give back, over 20 volunteers helped throughout the day. Whether due to illness, sports, or age restrictions, they showed that service is for everyone.
Academy students continue to stand out for their compassion, contributing to a strong turnout. Nearby schools like Gahanna and New Albany also host drives, but CA’s commitment runs deep, with an annual goal of over 100 pints.
A big thanks to The Red Cross and Service Board for providing food and support for each donor. Every donation takes just 15–25 minutes but has a massive impact.
To donate next time, you must be at least 16 years old and have parental consent if under 18, meet height and weight requirements and be in good health. If you’re not eligible you can volunteer through MobileServe and earn in school service hours.
Ms. Bening, the faculty leader of the CA Service Board says, “People should donate even though it’s a little painful. Doing so is a really good habit to develop, it doesn’t take much time and can help many people. Receiving blood is a gift that is hard to come across.” Her words remind us that doing small gestures can have major impacts and it’s well worth taking a few minutes out of your day to help those in need.
One last thank you to everyone who participated and the CA community looks forward to breaking records at the January Drive!
